Facebook is once again on the news. This time Frances Haugen, the Facebook whistleblower, provided insider knowledge on the tactics to promote ‘toxic’ content that drives engagement (and profits!) at the expense of the mental health of young users.
3 female students discuss the negative effects of social media on mental health. They wonder why there is so much focus on Facebook when Ticktock , Twitter and Instagram are probably more toxic. They discuss how different platforms can affect your mental health in different ways from extremism and radicalisation to body dysmorphia and low self-esteem.
How to strike the right balance between free speech and the cancel culture?
Who is responsible ? Why corporations are not suitable as they profit from our ‘problematic’ use of social media. What is the role of parents ? What is the appropriate age limit for social media use? What is the role of the government?
But it is not just about complaining! They come up with creative ideas for online safeguarding such as having kids versions of Instagram and other channels implementing stricter controls so then it is up to the parents to check which apps are their kids using.
They open up reflecting how they deal with the influencer culture, face filters and peer-pressure and provide helpful advice to stop online grooming and abuse.
Congratulations to Nagad, Sujood, Tajseane for your excellent work!
You can access the podcast here
Top image source: Flickr
First published: 11/11/2021
