Observation #003:
Is the choice to engage with social media no longer optional?
The Social Media Paradox
During the past 15 years, I’ve extracted myself from Facebook by deleting my account at least three times. I do not like the idea of participating on a closed proprietary platform that’s designed to vacuum all manner of personal information from us. However, over the years, and especially after moving to a remote desert in the Southwest, I’ve come to realize that social media is no longer optional anymore. Now on my 3rd Facebook iteration, it comes down to this: If I choose to remain connected to the outside world in any meaningful way, I need an FB account!
Impact of Social Media
In the 2020 film, The Social Dilemma, Director Jeff Orlowski-Yang dives into the complex world of social media. It’s a film that sheds light on the design and impact of social platforms, drawing on interviews with tech insiders who know the mechanics behind the screen. These insiders reveal how social media companies engineer addiction, manipulate our behavior, and use personal data in ways that are not always in our best interest.
The documentary highlights the consequences of this digital environment on society, including issues of mental health, misinformation, political polarization, and social fragmentation. Through a mix of expert interviews and dramatized scenarios, “The Social Dilemma” presents a critical view of the tech giants’ unchecked power and the ethical dilemmas that come with it. The film encourages viewers to reconsider their online habits and the role of technology in our lives, advocating for a more ethical and responsible approach to social media use. The film urges us to think about what’s happening behind our screens and what it means for our future. The Social Dilemma along with many other documentaries are attempting to warn us about this concerning trend.
The film suggests that we can regain some control over our digital lives by following a few simple steps to reduce the negative impacts of social media, and contribute to a broader cultural shift towards more ethical technology use. Ultimately, given enough time, I believe people will become aware and more ethical and open source platforms will emerge as viable options for social discord and community interaction.
Strategies for Healthier Social Media Use
The Social Dilemma offers some recommendations for viewers to help mitigate the situation and protect themselves from the negative impacts of social media. Here’s a summary of the key actions it suggests:
- Digital Detox: Encourages taking regular breaks from social media to reduce dependence and improve mental health. This can include setting specific times of day for checking social media, having days without social media, or even longer breaks.
- Turn off Notifications: Advises disabling notifications for social media apps to reduce distractions and the urge to constantly check your phone. This helps limit the ‘interrupt culture’ that keeps pulling users back into apps.
- Fact-Check Information: Emphasizes the importance of verifying news and information before sharing it. The documentary points out how misinformation spreads quickly on social media, and fact-checking can help combat this.
- Limit Data Sharing: Suggests being more mindful of the personal data you share online. Adjusting privacy settings on social media platforms to limit what’s shared with the company and other users can protect your information.
- Support Humane Technology: Encourages supporting and advocating for companies and products that prioritize user well-being over profit. This includes backing initiatives and legislation that aim to regulate social media companies and hold them accountable for their impact on society.
- Engage in Real-Life Activities: Recommends spending more time in face-to-face interactions and engaging in activities outside the digital world. This can help improve mental health and reduce the negative effects of social media consumption.
- Educate Yourself and Others: The documentary stresses the importance of educating oneself and others about the impact of social media on our lives, mental health, and society. This includes having conversations with friends and family about responsible social media use.
Exploring Decentralized Social Media Platforms
For now, I encourage everyone to research open-source alternatives to mainstream social media platforms as a way to enjoy more privacy, control, and customization over your online social life. Below is a list of some popular decentralized (not corporate owned) social media platforms that offer different focuses and features:
- Mastodon: Often likened to a decentralized version of Twitter, Mastodon allows users to join different servers, each with its own rules and community vibes, while still being able to connect with users from other servers. It’s a microblogging platform that emphasizes privacy and has a strong anti-abuse system.
- Diaspora: Diaspora is a decentralized social network that gives you full ownership and control over your data. It allows you to connect with others and share content without worrying about a single company owning your information. Users can join different “pods,” which are independently hosted servers.
- Friendica: This platform is a community-driven social network that supports federation, allowing it to interact with other platforms like Mastodon, Diaspora, and more. Friendica users can post updates, share content, and connect with friends across different networks.
- PixelFed: For those who love Instagram but want more privacy and control, PixelFed is a photo-sharing platform that’s part of the Fediverse. It allows users to share images and short videos, with a focus on privacy and decentralization.
- PeerTube: A decentralized alternative to YouTube, PeerTube uses peer-to-peer technology to reduce the load on any single server when a video goes viral. Creators can host their own servers, and users can follow and interact with each other across different instances.
- Plume: Targeted at bloggers, Plume is part of the Fediverse, offering a decentralized blogging platform. Writers can publish their thoughts, articles, and essays, reaching a wide audience without relying on a central platform.
- Lemmy: A federated alternative to Reddit, Lemmy lets users post content, comment, and vote on posts across different topics. It’s designed for community discussions and supports federation, allowing communities to connect across different instances.
The Broader Societal Impact of Social Media
Beyond individual experiences and the need for privacy, the pervasive influence of social media on our societal fabric and mental well-being cannot be overstated. The algorithms that power platforms like Facebook not only shape our online experiences but significantly influence our real-world perceptions and interactions. Studies have shown a correlation between heavy social media use and an increase in mental health issues, such as anxiety and depression, particularly among younger demographics. This raises pressing questions about the role of digital platforms in shaping our collective psyche and societal norms.
Moreover, the phenomenon of ‘echo chambers’ and ‘filter bubbles’—where users are only exposed to information that reinforces their existing beliefs—has contributed to increased polarization and division within societies. The manipulation of these platforms for political means, as seen in various elections and referendums around the globe, underscores the urgent need for a reevaluation of how social media is woven into the fabric of democracy.
In response, there is a growing movement towards promoting digital literacy and resilience. Educating users about the mechanics of algorithms, the importance of diverse information sources, and the skills to critically evaluate online content are steps towards mitigating some of the adverse effects of social media. Additionally, there is a call for more humane and ethical technology that prioritizes the well-being of human being over engagement metrics and corporate profit.
The Movement Toward Ethical and Decentralized Platforms
By shifting towards decentralized social media platforms, as mentioned, we not only reclaim control over our personal data but also contribute to a broader cultural shift towards more ethical technology use. These platforms often prioritize community governance, transparency, and data privacy, offering a glimpse into a more equitable digital future. However, the challenge remains to balance the benefits of global connectivity with the preservation of individual well-being and societal cohesion.
As we navigate our daily lives, it’s important to foster discussions around these broader implications. Engaging in dialogues, advocating for policy changes, and supporting ethical tech initiatives are critical steps towards a future where technology serves humanity’s best interests, rather than the other way around.
Personal Commitment to a Minimalist Social Media Presence
In order for me to stay better connected to my family and close friends, I am committed to practicing a more minimalist approach to Facebook usage by limiting my connections to family and close friends – even if that means I have fewer connections. And, perhaps I will experiment with some of the newer and decentralized platforms that promise to offer a more open-source experience.
Conclusion: Navigating the Social Media Landscape
How have you navigated your own social media dilemma and found balance?
Key Takeaways:
- Reevaluating Social Media’s Role: The necessity of social media for connection in modern society contrasts sharply with the ethical concerns about privacy and data harvesting by corporate entities.
- Insider Perspectives on Platform Mechanics: Films like “The Social Dilemma” provide a critical look at how social media platforms manipulate user behavior, highlighting the urgency for more ethical practices in technology.
- Practical Steps for Users: To mitigate social media’s negative impacts, actionable advice includes digital detoxes, turning off notifications, fact-checking information, limiting data sharing, and engaging in real-life activities.
- Advocating for Ethical Technology: The documentary and advocates encourage supporting technologies that prioritize user well-being and promoting digital literacy to combat misinformation and polarization.
- Decentralized Platforms as Alternatives: Platforms like Mastodon, Diaspora, and PeerTube offer privacy-focused, community-driven alternatives to mainstream social media, emphasizing user control over data.
- Societal Impacts and the Call for Change: The pervasive influence of social media on mental health, societal polarization, and democracy calls for a reevaluation of digital platforms’ roles in our lives.
- Personal Reflection and Action: The author commits to a minimalist approach to Facebook usage, focusing on meaningful connections while exploring decentralized social platforms for a more open-source experience.
- Engagement and Advocacy for Change: The article encourages readers to engage in discussions, advocate for policy changes, and support initiatives that aim for a future where technology serves humanity’s best interests.