This is something I always think about. Games will make you think you're putting effort for a good thing. Frustrated people who think they're not achieving enough will go to a game and get rewards, and they will feel accomplished. But it's a trap, because now that effort is not spent somewhere productive but instead on imaginary coins, new equipment for their virtual character, etc., and when they wake up from the stupor in 1 or 3 or 5 years, they will find out that not only do they have nothing to show for it but the time enjoyed, but the game company could take their stuff at any time if they wished.
Similarly, we have social interaction. Lonely people will watch streamers all day, and give them money and everything they have. This is normal social interaction, but streamers profit off para-social relationships. It's one-sided giving, where they will wake up 2 years later when the streamer retires, and they will have nothing for their effort but enjoyment, a drained bank account and a newly found feeling of loneliness.
If people put their effort in stuff that actually gives back, they would not be entrapped, but modern social media and the entertainment industry profit off of the illusion of reward.
This is why I like Hive. People can have their mountains of likes, their interactions, their followers, but it's not fruitless. The rewards are real and can be exchanged for tangible things.