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Algorithmic Burnout and Digital Well-Being: Modelling Young Adults’ Resistance to Personalized Digital Persuasion

Author

Listed:
  • Stefanos Balaskas

    (Department of Physics, School of Sciences, Democritus University of Thrace, Kavala Campus, 65404 Kavala, Greece)

  • Maria Konstantakopoulou

    (Department of Mathematics, School of Natural Sciences, University of Patras, 26504 Patras, Greece)

  • Ioanna Yfantidou

    (Department of Business and Management, Liverpool John Moores University (LJMU), Liverpool L3 5RF, UK)

  • Kyriakos Komis

    (Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, School of Engineering, University of Patras, 26504 Patras, Greece)

Abstract

In an era when AI systems curate increasingly fine-grained aspects of everyday media use, understanding algorithmic fatigue and resistance is essential for safeguarding user agency. Within the horizon of a more algorithmic and hyper-personalized advertising environment, knowing how people resist algorithmic advertising is of immediate importance. This research formulates and examines a structural resistance model for algorithmic advertising, combining psychological and cognitive predictors such as perceived ad fatigue (PAF), digital well-being (DWB), advertising literacy (ADL), and perceived relevance (PR). Based on a cross-sectional survey of 637 participants, the research employs Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM) and mediation and multi-group analysis to uncover overall processes and group-specific resistance profiles. Findings show that DWB, ADL, and PR are strong positive predictors of resistance to persuasion, while PAF has no direct effect. PAF has significant indirect influences through both PR and ADL, with full mediation providing support for the cognitive filter function of resistance. DWB demonstrates partial mediation, indicating that it has influence both directly and through enhanced literacy and relevance attribution. Multi-group analysis also indicates that there are notable differences in terms of age, gender, education, social media consumption, ad skipping, and occurrence of digital burnout. Interestingly, younger users and those who have higher digital fatigue are more sensitive to cognitive mediators, whereas gender and education level play a moderating role in the effect of well-being and literacy on resistance pathways. The research provides theory-informed, scalable theory to enhance the knowledge of online resistance. Practical implications are outlined for policymakers, marketers, educators, and developers of digital platforms based on the extent to which psychological resilience and media literacy underpin user agency. In charting resistance contours, this article seeks to maintain the voice of the user in a world growing increasingly algorithmic.

Suggested Citation

  • Stefanos Balaskas & Maria Konstantakopoulou & Ioanna Yfantidou & Kyriakos Komis, 2025. "Algorithmic Burnout and Digital Well-Being: Modelling Young Adults’ Resistance to Personalized Digital Persuasion," Societies, MDPI, vol. 15(8), pages 1-33, August.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsoctx:v:15:y:2025:i:8:p:232-:d:1728153
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Alavi, Setareh & Iyer, Pooja & Bright, Laura F., 2024. "Advertisement avoidance and algorithmic media: The role of social media fatigue, algorithmic literacy and privacy concerns," Journal of Digital & Social Media Marketing, Henry Stewart Publications, vol. 12(3), pages 276-292, December.
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    3. da Silva, Filipa Pires & Jerónimo, Helena Mateus & Henriques, Paulo Lopes & Ribeiro, Joana, 2024. "Impact of digital burnout on the use of digital consumer platforms," Technological Forecasting and Social Change, Elsevier, vol. 200(C).
    4. Dinesh Deckker & Subhashini Sumanasekara, 2025. "A Systematic Review of the Impact of Artificial Intelligence, Digital Technology, and Social Media on Cognitive Functions," International Journal of Research and Innovation in Social Science, International Journal of Research and Innovation in Social Science (IJRISS), vol. 9(3), pages 134-154, March.
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    1. Nur Safinas Albakry & Mohd Fauzi Harun & Mohd Ekram Alhafis & Mohd Farizal Puadi & Najat Affendi, 2026. "Integrating Visual Rhetoric Theory into Digital Media Education: Advancing Students’ Critical Understanding of Persuasive Advertising and Social Media Content," International Journal of Research and Innovation in Social Science, International Journal of Research and Innovation in Social Science (IJRISS), vol. 10(26), pages 1324-1335, January.

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