In 2008, my mom allowed me to create a Facebook profile for my twelfth birthday. I remember it being such a big deal because all my friends had them, and I could not wait to start sharing pictures, posting angsty song lyrics as my status, and finally stop updating my AIM away message. That’s what Facebook was back in the day, and it had already changed so much from it’s origin in 2003. When I joined Facebook, my oldest brother couldn’t believe it because it was originally for college kids. If he could only have guessed where Facebook would be in 2018. Since the 2016 election, Facebook has been getting a lot of slack for it’s effect on the democratic process, and I unfortunately agree with the masses.
Facebook was supposed to be a platform for free speech in countries like Cambodia. Instead, it's enabling propaganda and repression as the country's hopes for democracy collapse. My story from Phnom Penh https://t.co/OfCeNuiMtp
— Megha Rajagopalan (@meghara) January 21, 2018
It’s taken over a year, but Facebook has finally acknowledged the role their social networking site has played in allowing it’s users to channel their political energy into their statuses and shared articles. The site needs to have third party actors fact checking and monitoring the content that is being shared by it’s users because there is so much dense nonsense out there that the public is truly becoming misinformed.
Facebook admits social media threat to democracy https://t.co/TW5Zgs058u pic.twitter.com/W0hr8rafVn
— AFP news agency (@AFP) January 22, 2018
Some say there is a thin line between monitoring and censoring, and there is; however, I think the site needs to have people taking responsibility for the press role that their platform has become and make sure that they’re doing all they can to be unbiased and factual.
I think your suggestion of third party fact checkers is a great one. Whether Facebook likes it or not their platform has become a place people all over the world turn to for news, and they need to be sure the news their users are consuming is true. Also, great title! It really caught my attention.
I like your title on this. Even if you did not intend to, it demonstrates how Facebook was supposed to be this network-sharing/idea-sharing/ connecting space, but that in recent years it hasn’t fully delivered on protecting the ideas and beliefs of its users.
Katherine,
I could not agree more. As a social media platform, Facebook needs to assume the role of a social media watchdog! They should be protecting their users, while still providing that open forum-based feed. I also feel like you said, it is a thin line between censorship and monitoring, and I feel like this is where the companies, as well as the Government are struggling. Either decision they make, it seems could have a negative response. I am so happy to see Facebook finally taking some ownership, its a step in the right direction! I loved the way you portrayed your opinion in this post, as well as the media you included. Your point was very clear and concise, and I couldn’t agree more with it! Good job!
I first loved the title of your article. It really drew me in, and got me excited to read your piece. I then got to read your thoughts and loved what you had to say. I personally would have never thought of this, but it is definitely such a relevant suggestion to make. I also think that the tweets you included heightened the article a lot, they weren’t just there to be there. Overall, I really enjoyed the article, Great job!
Katherine, I think the twitter link that you’ve included to the Buzzfeed story is interesting & alarming. Not only is Facebook facilitating the spread of fake news through its algorithm, but also actively helping repressive governments squelch free speech –
“Duong said every couple of months, his team would email an employee they work with at Facebook to request a set of accounts be taken down, either based on language they used or because their accounts did not appear to be registered to their real names, a practice Facebookâs rules forbid. Facebook often complies, he said.”
Facebook may not be actively squelching free speech, but they can’t deny that they had a role in helping repressive governments punish dissenters. Also given that FB is an American company, and that unlike U.S. law , people can and do get jailed for posting critical content on FB, one wonders whether their need for “verified” profiles puts dissenters at risk.
I really think that this is a good and novel idea, especially on content that goes viral or is widely distributed. In addition to being well explained, this post taught me something new about how Facebook can and should be dealing with this movement. Thanks!
I agree with you and believe that Facebook needs to encourage people to be responsible. I also really liked the Tweets you included. Also, it’s funny because I also made my Facebook when I was 12 (except my mom didn’t know…oops!).
Not going to lie 14 year old me is super jealous your mom let you get a Facebook in 2008, I had to wait until 2011. 22-year-old me is super happy my mom made me wait 3 extra years to get on Facebook.
I completely agree with you that Facebook needs to be protecting its daily users and needs to head towards a different direction if they want people to continue to use the platform. The BuzzFeed article you included was interesting while also extremely true. Facebook has 100% been a threat to democracy all around the world and it’s unfortunate what has happened, especially with recent events. Overall, good post and what a relatable story at the beginning (I wasn’t able to have a Facebook until I was 13, so I understand the struggle)!