The main point is likes/views/clicks don't have to be shown or displaying them can be delayed. It's that simple to reduce random group behavior.

If you don't understand what role they play, or even worse, misunderstand what role they play please read some Social Psychology specifically Conformism and how it is triggered.

The problem is most people who designed the platforms are only now learning about these things and are trying to undo the effects pretending they don't need to make changes to the original design.