3. Are You Not Engaged?
Dive into the intricate relationship between social media and shaping public opinion on "The Gatekeepers," with speakers including Jamie Bartlett, Barack Obama, Chris Wetherell, Arturo BeGal, Ruth Moss, Brianna Wu, and Maria Ressa. This compelling discussion unpacks how tools developed to democratize information and empower voices have paradoxically become conduits for division and misinformation. Highlighting seminal events such as Obama's campaign and the Gamergate controversy, the speakers examine the unintended consequences of features like Twitter's retweet button, the evolution of user behavior, and the alarming power these platforms hold in amplifying conflicting narratives and social tensions.
Balancing user safety with the imperative of user engagement emerges as a formidable challenge for social media companies, a dichotomy deeply explored in this podcast episode of "The Gatekeepers." Hear the poignant account of a young girl whose exposure to dangerous content had tragic outcomes, underscoring the disquieting side effects of the industry’s focus on monetization over moderation. The session underscores the profound impact social media has had on the psychology of its users, catalyzing a disconnect in online social norms and responsibilities with real-world implications, proposing a provocative inquiry into the responsibilities of the virtual gatekeepers of today's digital society.
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1-Page Summary
Manipulating public opinion and politics through social media
Social media platforms have emerged as influential in shaping public opinion and political landscapes, transforming from tools of democracy to instruments that can sow division. Envisioned as a means for empowerment and information sharing, these platforms initially mirrored the democratic hopes encased in Barack Obama's campaign. However, the Twitter retweet button, conceived by Chris Wetherell for simple content sharing, unexpectedly facilitated the rapid spread of information, as witnessed in the Gamergate episode where false accusations were amplified. This feature not only enabled the virality of conflicting perspectives but also encouraged atypical online confrontations among users. The calamitous potential of these platforms was further evidenced by Russia's exploitation of social media to foment division in the 2016 U.S. presidential election, drawing from strategies similar to those observed during Gamergate.
The difficulties of balancing user safety and engagement on social media platforms
Tech companies struggle to strike a balance between ensuring user safety and maximizing platform engagement, often prioritizing the latter. This prioritization leads to a conflict between protecting users, especially teenagers, and retaining their activity for data collection and ad revenue. The harrowing tale of 13-year-old Sophie, who was exposed to self-harm content on social media and later died by suicide, illuminates the harsh realities of this imbalance. Despite her mother's efforts to limit Sophie's internet access, the infinite nature of harmful online content proved overwhelming. The lack of effective measures for content moderation and the absence of robust communication channels with the tech companies reveal a distressing gap in corporate responsibility.
How social media changed user behavior and psychology
Social media has notably shifted the user behavior and psychology, presenting an evolution that wasn't fully anticipated by its creators. The platforms were initially regarded as neutral territories, but it became apparent that they could influence not just what people shared but also how they felt and behaved. The tendency of social media to amplify extreme content and emotions has fostered antisocial behavior and a shift in social norms, giving rise to conduct online that would typically be unacceptable in personal interactions. This detachment reflects a shift in social conduct norms, driven by the diffused responsibility in communication and a disconnect from the real world consequences of virtual actions.
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Clarifications
- Gamergate was a highly controversial online movement in the video game industry that involved issues of sexism, harassment, and ethics in gaming journalism. It originated in 2014 and sparked intense debates about gender representation, journalistic integrity, and online culture. The movement was marked by harassment campaigns targeting women and marginalized groups in gaming, leading to widespread discussions about toxicity and inclusivity in the gaming community. Gamergate highlighted the intersection of gaming, social media, and broader societal issues, leaving a lasting impact on online discourse and activism.
- Russia's exploitation of social media in the 2016 U.S. presidential election involved a coordinated effort by Russian entities to use platforms like Facebook and Twitter to spread disinformation and sow discord among American voters. This interference included creating fake accounts, spreading divisive content, and targeting specific demographics to influence public opinion. The goal was to undermine trust in the electoral process and exacerbate existing societal divisions, ultimately aiming to disrupt the democratic process. These actions sparked concerns about the manipulation of social media for political gain and raised questions about the regulation of online platforms in the context of elections.
- The Twitter retweet button, introduced to simplify content sharing, inadvertently accelerated the spread of information on the platform. This feature enabled the rapid dissemination of both accurate and false information, leading to the amplification of conflicting viewpoints. Its impact was notably seen during the Gamergate episode, where misinformation was widely circulated, showcasing the unintended consequences of this seemingly innocuous feature. The retweet button fundamentally altered the dynamics of information sharing on Twitter, contributing to the virality of content and the proliferation of diverse perspectives.
- I'm sorry, but I do not have any specific information or details about Sophie's story and her exposure to harmful content on social media.
Counterarguments
- Social media platforms also provide a space for marginalized voices and grassroots movements to be heard, which can lead to positive social change.
- The retweet button and similar features can be used to spread awareness and mobilize support for important causes, not just to amplify negative incidents.
- While Russia's interference in the 2016 U.S. election is well-documented, social media is also used by domestic actors and ordinary citizens to engage in political discourse and activism.
- Some tech companies have made significant investments in user safety and content moderation, and there are ongoing efforts to improve these systems.
- The story of Sophie is tragic, but it is also important to consider the broader context of mental health, family dynamics, and other offline factors that contribute to such outcomes.
- Social media has enabled new forms of creativity, connection, and community building that can have positive effects on user behavior and psychology.
- Not all social media interactions are antisocial or negative; many users find support, friendship, and solidarity online.
- Users are increasingly aware of the impact of their online behavior and are advocating for more responsible social media use and digital citizenship.
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Manipulating public opinion and politics through social media
Social media's ability to influence public opinion and politics has become a double-edged sword since the early days when platforms like Facebook were hailed as tools of democracy and empowerment.
The early promise of social media to spread democracy
Jamie Bartlett joined Facebook imbued with the belief that social media was a revolutionary force, in line with the spirit of Barack Obama's campaign, which represented a new age of freedom and democracy. Social media platforms were seen as neutral tools for sharing information and empowering users.
The invention and impact of the Twitter retweet button
Chris Wetherell, the engineer behind the Twitter retweet button, initially envisioned it as a straightforward tool for sharing—aptly calling it "sharing"—because its fundamental purpose was to spread content.
Made it easy to quickly disseminate information to large groups
The retweet button's ability to spread information rapidly became apparent through its utilization in various campaigns and activism efforts.
Empowered harassment campaigns like Gamergate that spilled from online to real life
However, the retweet button had a significant role in the Gamergate controversy, where it was used to rapidly disseminate false accusations and fuel harassment campaigns. A study revealed that over two-thirds of around 316,000 Gamergate-related tweets were retweets, highlighting the feature’s capacity to amplify messages.
Wetherell later observed that people who seldom engaged in online conflicts were sharing posts from attackers during Gamergate with unprecedented ease, suggesting that the simplicity of the retweet could inadvertently promote antisocial behavior in typically non-conf ...
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Manipulating public opinion and politics through social media
Additional Materials
Clarifications
- Gamergate was an online controversy in 2014 that involved issues of sexism and harassment in the gaming industry. It started as a debate about ethics in gaming journalism but quickly escalated into a harassment campaign targeting women in the industry. The movement was marked by online harassment, doxxing, and threats against women and marginalized groups in gaming. Gamergate highlighted broader issues of misogyny, ethics in journalism, and the toxic culture within the gaming community.
- The Twitter retweet button, introduced to facilitate content sharing, played a crucial role in rapidly disseminating information during events like the Gamergate controversy. It enabled users to easily amplify messages by reposting them to their followers, leading to the swift spread of both accurate and false information. However, its simplicity also inadvertently empowered harassment campaigns and divisive narratives by allowing harmful content to reach a wider audience with minimal effort. This feature's impact raised concerns about how social media tools could unintentionally facilitate negative behaviors and influence pub ...
Counterarguments
- Social media platforms may not have been as neutral as initially believed, as their design and algorithms can influence user behavior and information flow.
- The retweet button, while facilitating the spread of content, also requires individual user engagement, suggesting that the responsibility for amplification lies not solely with the tool but also with the users.
- The role of the retweet button in controversies like Gamergate could be seen as a reflection of broader societal issues rather than a direct cause of those issues.
- The statistic about two-thirds of Gamergate-related tweets being retweets does not necessarily indicate causation; it could be that controversial or popular topics naturally tend to get retweeted more often.
- The claim that the retweet button promotes antisocial behavior in non-confrontational individuals could be challenged by arguing that the button merely facilitates existing desires to share content, rather than changing user behavior.
- The use of social med ...
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The difficulties of balancing user safety and engagement on social media platforms
Social media companies face critical challenges in balancing the safety of their users with the goal of maximizing engagement. Arturo BeGal and Ruth Moss's experiences bring these struggles to light, highlighting the tension between commercial incentives and user welfare, as well as the tragic consequences that can result from this imbalance.
Companies prioritized maximizing user engagement over mitigating harms to users
BeGal notes that while social media platforms have built tools for teenagers to report bullying, there's an underlying tension between user safety and keeping users engaged online. The companies focused on maximizing user engagement to collect data and attract advertisers, resulting in rewarding actions that increased engagement. These companies did not set defaults for features, such as time limits, that could possibly reduce user engagement and help teens manage their relationship with their devices and platforms.
Bartlett adds that the information revolution's emphasis on growth and engagement, largely driven by targeted advertising, has made it easier for users to share content with less friction, often at the cost of user safety.
The tragic story of 13-year-old Sophie, who viewed harmful content online before dying by suicide
Sophie, a 13-year-old girl who struggled with mental health issues, was drawn to self-harm and self-hate forums and chat rooms. Her mother, Ruth Moss, despite efforts to limit Sophie's internet use through parental controls, found it extremely difficult to get harmful content removed from social media platforms.
Sophie managed to bypass these controls by setting up a Facebook account under a fake name and spent a significant amount of time on Flickr, where the content seemed endless. She downloaded many photographs related to self-harm, indicating her intense struggle with mental health issues.
Following Sophie's death, Ruth Moss questioned the role and responsibility of tech compani ...
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The difficulties of balancing user safety and engagement on social media platforms
Additional Materials
Clarifications
- Arturo BeGal and Ruth Moss are individuals mentioned in the text who have experiences related to the challenges faced by social media companies in balancing user safety and engagement. Arturo BeGal's perspective sheds light on the conflict between user safety and maximizing engagement on social media platforms. Ruth Moss's experience revolves around her daughter Sophie's tragic encounter with harmful content online and the difficulties she faced in trying to protect her.
- Sophie's ability to bypass parental controls indicates that she found ways to circumvent the restrictions put in place by her mother to limit her internet access. This could involve techniques like creating alternate accounts under fake names or accessing content through platforms not covered by the controls. Bypassing parental controls is a common challenge faced by parents trying to manage their children's online activities, especially when children are determined to access specific content. In Sophie's case, her actions highlight the persistent efforts some individuals, particularly teenagers, may undertake to navigate around restrictions set by caregivers.
- Flickr is a popular image and video hosting platform where users can share an ...
Counterarguments
- Social media companies may argue that they have made significant efforts to improve user safety, such as implementing AI moderation, hiring content moderators, and creating clear community guidelines.
- It could be argued that social media platforms offer valuable opportunities for positive social connections, support networks, and access to helpful information, which can also contribute to user well-being.
- Some might suggest that the responsibility for monitoring and controlling a minor's social media use should be shared between the platforms and the parents or guardians.
- There is a perspective that content moderation is a complex issue, with challenges related to free speech and the sheer volume of user-generated content, making it difficult to remove all harmful material without over-censoring.
- It could be argued that setting defaults to reduce engagement might not be effective, as users often change default settings to suit their preferences, and engagement is not inherently negative.
- There may be an argument that the relationship between viewing harmful content and real-life actions is not straightforward and can involve a multitude of factors beyond social media use.
- Some might point out that technology companies are continuously evolving their policies and tools in res ...
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How social media changed user behavior and psychology
Social media platforms, once seen as neutral grounds for sharing and interaction, have significantly influenced user behavior and psychology in ways originally not anticipated by the companies that created them.
Psychological impacts and behavior modifications
The initial outlook of social media companies was that they were creating neutral platforms. They did not foresee that these platforms could play a role in altering user behavior or the psychology behind their interactions. The designers did not predict how engaging, sharing, and watching content online could eventually impact users' moods, state of mind, life perspectives, or how they interact with others.
Amplification of extreme content and emotions
Wetherell noted that social media inadvertently encourages users to express and engage with strong emotions. This can lead to antisocial behavior patterns, where people may become more extreme in their expressions or actions towards others, especially in environments where moral outrage is activated.
Changes in conduct norms
The conversation identifies a shift in social norms and conduct due to the influence of social ...
Here’s what you’ll find in our full summary
How social media changed user behavior and psychology
Additional Materials
Clarifications
- The diffusion of responsibility in online behavior refers to how individuals may feel less accountable for their actions in virtual spaces compared to face-to-face interactions. This phenomenon occurs because the lack of physical presence and direct consequences can lead to a reduced sense of personal responsibility. As a result, people might engage in behaviors online that they would avoid in offline settings due to the diminished perception of individual impact and accountability.
- The disconnect between virtual and physical world conduct norms highlights the disparity in behavior exhibited by individuals online compared to their behavior in face-to-face interactions. This phenomenon occurs because the absence of physical presence and direct consequen ...
Counterarguments
- Social media platforms may not be the sole or primary cause of changes in user behavior and psychology; other factors such as cultural shifts, economic pressures, and technological advancements also play significant roles.
- Some argue that social media simply reflects pre-existing behaviors and attitudes rather than altering them; it provides a platform for expression rather than being the cause of change.
- The impact of social media on moods and life perspectives can be positive for some users, fostering a sense of community, support, and personal growth.
- The amplification of extreme content and emotions on social media could be a result of algorithms prioritizing engagement over neutrality, rather than an inherent quality of the platforms themselves.
- Users have agency and can choose how to engage with social media; blaming platforms for user behavior may overlook the responsibility individuals have for their actions.
- The shift in social norms and conduct online might also reflect broader societal changes, and social media could be a tool for positive social movements and awareness campaigns.
- The democratization of communication can empower marginalized voices and facilitate social change, not just spread the resp ...
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