Manipulative Design in The Digital Age: Trends and Impacts of Dark Patterns On Social Media Users

This study examines dark patterns in social media apps using bibliometric analysis and qualitative review of 32 Scopus-indexed articles (2015-2024). This study aims to identify research trends, key themes, and gaps related to manipulative interface designs that influence user behavior. The results of this study show that publication activity has increased since 2020, although citation impact remains low. Common dark patterns found include privacy zuckering, confirm shaming, and infinite scrolling-tactics that exploit cognitive biases and affect user decisions, privacy, and mental well-being. Children and adolescents are particularly vulnerable due to their limited ability to detect manipulation. Thematic mapping reveals dominant themes such as decision-making, privacy, and behavioral health, while areas such as digital well-being and user consent remain under-explored. Tools such as Bibliometrix and Biblioshiny were used to visualize trends, collaborations and keyword networks. This research contributes to understanding how dark patterns shape digital behavior and highlights the need for ethical design practices and regulatory frameworks in online environments.