[hkai]

Why?

The reasons I've seen are:

> it creates a risk of bad self-image for young girls

It's a parent's job to educate your children. There are much worse things than Facebook out there.

> it collects data

Literally no harm in knowing that someone is interested in JavaScript, cats and fetish porn, and targeting ads to that user.

> it's addictive

So is sex, marijuana, and collecting stamps.

> it helps organize protests

Good.

[jader201]

> It's a parent's job to educate your children. There are much worse things than Facebook out there.

I'm guessing that either you're not a parent, or your kids aren't teens.

But most parents of teens realize that kids, and especially teens, are often much more influenced by things like social media & peers (and peers via social media) vs. influence their parents have on them.

[jachee]

It actively uses its algorithm to radicalize racists and conspiracy theorists, and when it discovered that's what it was doing decided to keep doing it because it was good for the bottom line:

https://www.businessinsider.com/facebook-pushes-qanon-racism...

[Qi_]

An alternate explanation is that the algorithm tries to promote engagement and user retention. Presumably, people susceptible to radicalization engage with the content discussed in the article. It would be unreasonable to expect Facebook to not act in its own self-interest.

[forgetfulness]

> An alternate explanation is that the algorithm tries to promote engagement and user retention. Presumably, people susceptible to radicalization engage with the content discussed in the article. It would be unreasonable to expect Facebook to not act in its own self-interest.

That's the whole point. Oh they're just trying to make a buck like everyone else is exactly the problem.

They are a running a paperclip maximizer that turns passive consumers of misinformation into "engaged" radicals and the system that is Facebook has no incentive to correct this.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Instrumental_convergence

[jachee]

Any algorithm that can maximize engagement can be tuned to minimize radicalization and dissemination of hatred and fascism.

I'd argue that it's absolutely in Facebook's self-interest to reduce their active role in promoting fascism, racism, homophobia, etc.

[hkai]

To recap, you seem to be concerned that all social media are allowing posts to become popular, and those posts sometimes promote hatred towards conservatives or liberals.

Two questions:

- What do you think should be done about the legacy media that is doing the same?

- Should social media promote boring posts, or actively censor political content in favour of a certain viewpoint, or anything else? Perhaps a real-life name registration for anyone with over 1000 followers, like in China?

[jachee]

> those posts sometimes promote hatred towards conservatives or liberals.

Incorrect assertion. Those posts promote hatred and/or violence toward humans for traits those humans did not choose. e.g. race, sexual orientation, etc.

Legacy media aren't actively amplifying the voices and recruiting efforts of white supremacists.

Facebook is. They acknowledge that they are. They chose to actively allow and encourage it for profit.