Wednesday September 28, 7:00 – 8:30
Social Media – A Threat to Our Democracy?
Please use the material below to prepare discussion. Much as with a typical case, the evening will be in the hands of the participants themselves.
Moderators briefly set up the questions. Participants, responding to each other and building on dialogue, carry the discussion forward.
Typical length of time to read or view noted for each item.
As social media emerged a few years ago, the hope was that these platforms would enhance social connections and empower users. Was this hope realized, or has social media degraded to the point it poses a threat to our democracy? If so, what should be done?
Overview – the debate
Prof Jonathan Haidt, NYU Stern School, succinctly summarizes his view of the threats from social media in an accessible video. This link opens at 9:30 (for the relevant portion in the total 18 minutes – 8 1/2 minutes to view).
What are the economic motivations that have led social media platforms to prioritize engagement? This private platform incentive then drove ideologically extreme user positions, cascading into public polarization for the body politic. See here for how Facebook shapes your feed. (about 5 minutes to read)
Or, should free speech be the priority, so hands off any limits, including from social media platforms? See here for one view. (about 3 minutes to read)
Where do arguments come into the debate, for removing Section 230 protections that shield social media platforms from liability? See here for a helpful HBR review. (about 4 minutes to read)
How may social media platforms impact elections directly, at the heart of democracy? See here both for platform policies and for critiques of the impact in fact. (about 6 minutes to read)
Fixes? – some ideas to reduce threat
A detailed proposal from the MIT Technology Review. (about 5 minutes to read)
Can community governance work? (about 5 minutes to read)
A proposal for discreet user groups. (about 4 minutes to read)
The EU has already taken strong steps, perhaps a useful perspective for us. (about 4 minutes to read)
Some additional background material if you want to delve more deeply
NIH, our National Institutes of Health, provide an in-depth review of studies. (about 12 minutes to read)
For more complete reference to Prof Haidt’s work:
His recent article in The Atlantic. (about 11 minutes to read)
His remarks after Facebook commented on that article. (about 5 minutes to read)
What should WE do?