Social media is a plague on the world

[StandFirm]

I've had it with those unregulated platforms which turn us into lonely, identikit appearance-obsessed, sad conspiracy theorists. They turn political debate into riots, democracy into mob rule. The irony of saying this on a public forum is not lost on me but the news this morning of Zuckerberg ending fact-checking on Facebook, the recent delirious outbursts on X by Musk and his ridiculous meddling into world politics have led me to delete accounts I had on those platforms. I still use WhatsApp as it's just a messaging service but the rest has gone. Anyone else feels the same?

Social media is a plague says the poster on social media.

I think what you probably mean is - that you don’t like platforms that largely disagree with your beliefs.

& what exactly are you posting on right now OP?

YANBU. And the “but MN is social media!” crowd need to understand how algorithms work on X, Facebook, etc compared to sites like this 🙄

I have said in my OP that I do see the irony of sharing my thoughts online whilst criticising social media! But I think it must be regulated because as it stands it's poison.

Oh you don't think there are algorithms on Mumsnet?

I’m fully aware of how algorithms work. However, the amount of absolutely batshit posts on MN is astounding as well as an increasing amount of extreme views and agenda pushing. If OP doesn’t like social media then this is the wrong place to be these days.

LOL, people are really upset that other people don't think like them aren't they?

Did you not know this before?

I agree. I think smart phones for kids will be this generation's smoking.
I think older people have the capacity and sense to step away/ log off/ delete the app. But for kids, I think smart phones and quick hit apps like tiktok are actually changing their brain chemistry and doing permanent damage.

I don’t think I’ve seen too many signs of obvious political algorithms on MN, but maybe they are very good…

I take it you weren’t on the site much around election time then? It was very obvious

This. If the “extreme” views were views she held - I’m sure it wouldn’t be an issue.

I've never used Facebook or Twitter; I think more people are turning away from those due to misinformation, scams etc. but they will just be replaced by other platforms. Stay out of it, is my rule - don't engage with platforms that don't add anything good to your life.

I agree in some ways, but in others...it's been my job for 15 years. I've met some of my closest friends through it. I speak to these people daily on it. I've built a successful side hustle that makes my heart sing through it.

So I guess it's maybe about how you use it?

Algorithms i.e. determining which posts you are shown as opposed to people posting with an agenda / bots are very different things.

Even the creators of the tech recognise the potential harm, many choosing to restrict their own children from using social media and sending them to low tech schools.

Yes, it's awful. I've never had X or Instagram just FB but I logged out ages ago and I will delete it. I only use WhatsApp too.

Very obvious prior to Brexit too.

You're not wrong about Elon Musk, he needs to be stopped. First he meddled in the US elections, now he's trying to meddle in our elections.
Why is nobody doing anything about it? All addicted to social media platforms and that's why he brought x to begin with.

Modern Social Media, Facebook etc are what you make it. But the algorithms make it so un-user friendly these days(gone are the days of MySpace). I can't wait to come back off them all, I'm using them for a purpose at the moment though so can't.

Classic.
First of all, my point is that SM platforms should be neutral. As social media has gained in significance over traditional tv and radio broadcast, it should be regulated in the same way that broadcasters still are subject to OFCOM and equivalent. Precisely to ensure a level playing field for debate.
Besides, I wouldn't have deliberately chosen a 'clickbaity' title if I didn't want to engage with different views ;) And again, that is my point, people react with louder titles/content which will always skew things on social media towards the provocative end of the scale.

YANBU

And surely Mumsnet is a ‘forum’ and rather than a social media platform… or maybe I’m just a dinosaur.

Parents should be on top of social media use and access to phones, etc.
If parents allow kids under 16 a phone or tablet for anything other than schoolwork, it's on them.
Would you buy your under 16 a pack of 20? Unlikely.

The world is not neutral and never will be. Neutral SM is not realistic. As for supposedly ‘neutral’ OFCOM regulated broadcasters I take it you haven’t seen the BBC these days?

Let me make a wild guess here.

You are left leaning aren’t you?