<p>Nudges are considered ‘innocent’ interventions because many nudges only have a small effect on how people behave. However, one particular nudging strategy has been held to have a great impact on behavior. This is the ‘Hooked’ model for smartphone applications, which consists of nudges such as the brightly colored icon of a smartphone app, the possibility to give and receive ‘likes,’ and infinite scrolling. I examine how these nudges affect the value of autonomy. As I contend, smartphone users will initially be able to act in an autonomous way when they are confronted with Hooked nudges. They can autonomously recognize that they have reason to follow these nudges, for example because they want to use certain smartphone apps for leisurely purposes, and they can act for this reason. I also argue, however, that Hooked nudges may undermine autonomy over time, in part because the Hooked model incorporates environmental cues known to promote addictive behaviors. As a result, smartphone users may find it difficult to resist Hooked nudges, even when they have reason to do so. Protecting autonomy therefore requires reducing the use of Hooked nudging.</p>

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The Not So Innocent Nudge: Why the Hooked Nudges for Smartphone Apps Undermine Autonomy

  • Rebecca Zeilstra

摘要

Nudges are considered ‘innocent’ interventions because many nudges only have a small effect on how people behave. However, one particular nudging strategy has been held to have a great impact on behavior. This is the ‘Hooked’ model for smartphone applications, which consists of nudges such as the brightly colored icon of a smartphone app, the possibility to give and receive ‘likes,’ and infinite scrolling. I examine how these nudges affect the value of autonomy. As I contend, smartphone users will initially be able to act in an autonomous way when they are confronted with Hooked nudges. They can autonomously recognize that they have reason to follow these nudges, for example because they want to use certain smartphone apps for leisurely purposes, and they can act for this reason. I also argue, however, that Hooked nudges may undermine autonomy over time, in part because the Hooked model incorporates environmental cues known to promote addictive behaviors. As a result, smartphone users may find it difficult to resist Hooked nudges, even when they have reason to do so. Protecting autonomy therefore requires reducing the use of Hooked nudging.