The assumption seems to be that not the social media in itself is causing this, but rather the way that they are run. Fostering "engagement" (read: addiction) a

The assumption seems to be that not the social media in itself is causing this, but rather the way that they are run. Fostering "engagement" (read: addiction) and "providing shareholder value" (read: constant exposure to ads in some form or another) are both things that a public utility wouldn't have incentives to do. I'm not saying I fully agree with this (I partially do, but I'm skeptic that it would "magically" just work) but that seems to be the assumption.