(ALGORITHM THE BEAST! SCROLL CLICK TAP PART 2)

“If bullying is the fire, the algorithm is the gasoline.

“They told us to follow the rules.

But nobody told us who wrote them.

We live in a world run by codes—

digital codes, legal codes, social codes—

and too many of us are caught in them.

If you’re homeless, they call it a choice.

If you’re disabled, they call it a burden.

If you’re poor, they call it a failure.

But what if the problem isn’t the people?

What if the problem is the code?

This is Caught in the Code—

where we expose broken systems, tell real stories,

and remind the world that no human being

should be disposable.

I’m RW.

And if you’ve ever felt trapped, unheard,

or written off—

this podcast is for you.”

What system are we talking about today?

– School discipline

– Social media algorithms

– Poverty laws

– Disability access

– Policing

– Housing rules

Who gets hurt?

Who gets ignored?

Who benefits?

• “Written Out: When the System Was Never Built for You”
• “Invisible by Design”
• “The Algorithm Doesn’t Love Your Child”
• “Rules Without Mercy”

• Social media algorithms are designed to keep people scrolling.

  They prioritize content that triggers strong emotions—anger, fear, shock, humiliation.

  • 👉 Bullying content often:

    • Gets more comments
    • Gets shared faster
    • Sparks arguments
    • Keeps users “engaged”

    
    

    So, the system amplifies it, even when it harms someone.

  Bullying Spreads Faster Than Kindness

  
  

  Kindness is quiet.

  Bullying is loud.

  
  

  Algorithms push:

  • Controversy over compassion
  • Mockery over empathy
  • Humiliation over healing

  
  

  A cruel post can be shown to thousands before anyone reports it—sometimes before an adult ever sees it.

  The Algorithm Doesn’t Understand Pain

  Algorithms don’t see:

  • Tears
  • Anxiety
  • Depression
  • Fear
  • Trauma

  
  

  They only see:

  
  

  • Clicks
  • Watch time
  • Shares
  • Reactions

  
  

  So, a child’s worst moment can become viral content without context or accountability.

  Victims Can’t “Log Off” the Harm

  
  

  In the past, bullying ended when school ended.

  Now it follows kids:

  
  

  • Home
  • Bedtime
  • Weekends
  • Holidays

  
  

  The algorithm resurfaces harmful content again and again reminding the victim they’re being watched, judged, and targeted.

  
  

  5️⃣ Silence Looks Like Approval to an Algorithm

  
  

  When people don’t comment—but still watch—the system assumes:

  
  

  “This content is valuable.”

  
  

  So even quiet viewers unintentionally help spread bullying.

  
  

  6️⃣ Children Are Trapped in a System They Didn’t Design

  
  

  Kids didn’t write the code.

  They didn’t choose the incentives.

  They didn’t agree to be test subjects.

  
  

  Yet they pay the emotional price.

  The Hard Truth

  The algorithm doesn’t bully—but it enables bullies.

  And until safety is weighted heavier than engagement, the harm continues.

  
  

  What Actually Helps

  • Adult supervision and education
  • Clear reporting systems
  • Teaching kids to be upstanders, not bystanders
  • Holding platforms accountable
  • Giving families tools to protect themselves

  
  

  “If bullying is the fire, the algorithm is the gasoline.”

  
  

  Copyright Ray Walton 2025

  If you or someone you know is struggling due to bullying, help is available:

  
  

  • 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline — Call or text 988 (24/7)
  • Crisis Text Line — Text HOME to 741741
  • Music and content copyrighted by Ray Walton 2025 all rights reserved