Do companies running social media portals consciously shape the general social awareness of citizens, Internet users through the specific information policies applied?
In recent years, there have been an increasing number of examples of situations of deliberate practices in which companies operating social media portals consciously shape the general social awareness of citizens, Internet users through specific information policies applied. The Senate Committees of Inquiry at the U.S. Capitol, which have been taking place for several years, address, among other things, the issue of verifying the use of, for example, algorithms on Facebook platforms that promote certain content, including not only socially positive content, but also socially negative content. The aforementioned algorithms are then changed so that the scale of social negativity is reduced. However, recently there have been an increasing number of similar socially negative cases of algorithms promoting specific political content, e.g. promoting content typical of right-wing political options and limiting the spread of certain social media sites typical of left-wing political content. Thus, these are situations of intentional discrimination against a part of the community of citizens holding certain political views, which the owners of certain companies operating social media portals have deemed to be contrary to the information policy applied in their social media and/or the specific ideology promoted in these media. This type of activity does not correlate with the issue of freedom of speech, unrestricted development of the information society, democracy.
Recently, companies running social media sites have been improving the aforementioned media through the implementation of new Industry 4.0/5.0 technologies, including Big Data Analytics and generative artificial intelligence. The aforementioned technologies can also be used to technically improve the algorithms that control and promote selected content typed and passed on by Internet users, users of the aforementioned online media, which is an important part of shaping information policy in these media.
I have described the issues of the role of information, information security, including business information transferred through social media, and the application of Industry 4.0/5.0 technologies to improve data and information transfer and processing systems in social media in the following articles:
The postpandemic reality and the security of information technologies ICT, Big Data, Industry 4.0, social media portals and the Internet
Article The postpandemic reality and the security of information tec...
The Importance and Organization of Business Information Offered to Business Entities in Poland via the Global Internet Network
Article The Importance and Organization of Business Information Offe...
THE QUESTION OF THE SECURITY OF FACILITATING, COLLECTING AND PROCESSING INFORMATION IN DATA BASES OF SOCIAL NETWORKING
Article THE QUESTION OF THE SECURITY OF FACILITATING, COLLECTING AND...
In view of the above, I address the following question to the esteemed community of scientists and researchers:
Do the companies running social media portals consciously shape the general social consciousness of citizens, Internet users through the specific information policies applied?
Do companies running social media portals shape the general social consciousness of citizens through the specific information policies applied?
What do you think about this topic?
What is your opinion on this issue?
Please answer,
I invite everyone to join the discussion,
Thank you very much,
Best regards,
Dariusz Prokopowicz
The above text is entirely my own work written by me on the basis of my research.
In writing this text, I did not use other sources or automatic text generation systems.
Copyright by Dariusz Prokopowicz
If there are no independent mass media now, where will symmetrical regulation of media ?
From a Media Ecology perspective, (which is my field of study) the companies running social media portals do shape the general social consciousness of citizens and Internet users through their information policies, whether consciously or not.
The core idea of Media Ecology is that media technologies are not neutral conduits of information, but actively shape and influence the content, perceptions, and social interactions that occur through them. The algorithms, content moderation policies, and design choices implemented by social media companies create certain affordances and constraints that guide user behavior and shape the information environment.
For example, the algorithms that curate user feeds prioritize certain types of content over others, influencing what information users are exposed to and potentially shaping their worldviews. Content moderation policies determine what types of speech and expression are allowed on the platform, setting boundaries on public discourse. Design choices like infinite scroll and push notifications are crafted to maximize user engagement, shaping habits and attention.
So from this perspective, even if not done with conscious intent to shape social consciousness, the information policies and design of social media portals necessarily exert influence over the thoughts, attitudes and behaviors of the public who increasingly rely on these technologies to inform themselves and interact. The medium shapes the message and the wider social dynamics. Social media companies are not neutral actors, but key players in crafting the digital public sphere and the social consciousness that emerges from it.
Yes, social media companies significantly shape social awareness through their information policies, dictating what content users see. Their algorithms and content moderation decisions influence public discourse and perceptions of various issues, highlighting their substantial impact on society's collective understanding.
Shaping society awarness looks like much more ideal than the reality, implementing awarness
would be
based on a certain
agenda understanding of awarness and not responding to the society needs
therefore it’s not mandatory that
They are shaping the society awareness but creating their own
Certainly businesses managing social media platforms hold the power to sway consciousness by controlling the information guidelines in place. These guidelines impact the type of content users are exposed to, its presentation and which stories take precedence thus molding discussions and viewpoints, within society.
It's important to recognize that social media companies are not neutral platforms and that their policies and practices can have significant impacts on public discourse and social awareness. Critical media literacy and awareness of these dynamics are essential for navigating the digital landscape. Yes, companies operating social media portals can shape the general social awareness of citizens through the specific information policies they apply. Social media platforms have become a primary source of information and news for many people, and the algorithms and moderation policies used by these companies can influence what information is prioritized, amplified, or suppressed.
some ways to how social media companies can shape social awareness:
1. Algorithmic bias: Algorithms can prioritize certain types of content, sources, or perspectives, which can create an echo chamber effect and reinforce existing beliefs.
2. Content moderation: Policies on what content is allowed or removed can shape public discourse and influence what issues are considered important.
3. Information curation: Social media platforms can curate content to promote specific narratives or agendas.
4. Advertising and sponsorship: Companies can use targeted advertising to influence public opinion and promote specific products or ideas.
5. Data collection and surveillance: Social media companies can collect vast amounts of user data, which can be used to profile and target individuals with specific information or propaganda.
6. Platform design: The design of social media platforms can influence how users interact with information and each other.
7. Partnerships and collaborations: Social media companies can partner with other organizations to promote specific agendas or narratives.
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