Topic: Longitudinal Data

Facebook research suggests that passive scrolling is less beneficial for well-being than one-on-one interactions like commenting or messaging. Professor Bob Kraut of Carnegie Mellon University has collaborated with the company to study the impact of the internet on stress and depression. The research attempts to distinguish whether technology causes negative feelings or if people use it to self-medicate.

Facebook utilizes longitudinal data collection to track user feelings and behaviors over extended periods. The company maintains that its mission is to build community and bring the world closer together rather than just capturing user time. Critics, however, view these research efforts as a way to further program user behavior under the guise of improving well-being.

The National Governors Association (NGA) acts as a clearinghouse for implementing Common Core and "P20" longitudinal data systems. These systems track individuals from preschool through their professional careers, integrating billions of records. The hosts warn that this data-centric model "robotizes" the school system and creates a permanent record that exceeds the surveillance of the NSA.