> In theory, a world of information abundance would bring the best to the top. Using a classic Econ 101 argument, competition should benefit consumers by improving quality.

That argument makes a giant chasm of an assumption about the mechanism of the market.

In fact, the main driver of the market is the profit motives of publishers and advertisers.

Whilst it is true that one way to profit is to provide sustained long term benefit to consumers, that isn't the only viable business model. A competing model - short term appeal to consumers with long term negative health impacts - co-exists in the market and competes for attention and spending.