I agree with you assessment but I think it’s a snowball effect as well.

Mental health is notoriously declining and I myself feel the difference when there are days where I don’t touch social media.

I also found that some social media affect me more than others, namely X.

Before the acquisition I remember feeling like I was under an authoritarian regime censoring everything and that made me feel bitter.

After Elon there were short periods where there were no bots, and the algo was actually adapting to me, I didn’t feel bad using it.

But right now its so toxic and full of fear mongering posts, making it unbearable.

I hope society figures this out quickly because AI is only quickening the decline.