Social media platforms are an integral part of our daily lives. Smartphones and computers make it easier to stay connected and busy with family and friends. 92% of millennials log on to social media at least once per day.
While social media has brought us closer than ever before, it’s also magnified the negative aspects of society like cyberbullying. Companies have had to reevaluate the role they play as online service providers due to technological changes.
Companies are now expected to adhere to new codes of conduct because they feel more pressure to act in the users’ best interests. What does the new code of social responsibility mean? Learn more about the moral responsibilities of social media companies .
The Transparent
Many people use social media platforms as their primary means of communication. This transparency and accountability must be maintained by social media companies.
Social media platforms should be transparent about the processes they use to create and distribute content. Many cases involve content being altered or withheld completely. Users should be informed of these changes.
Users should be able flag inappropriate posts or comments and receive a prompt response. If a social media platform fails to respond to flagged comments or posts, trust will be affected.
Abusive Conduct
Many people are comfortable sharing offensive or controversial posts on social media platforms. Some of these posts will be reported to moderators who decide whether to remove them.
Moderators are restricted from removing offensive posts or removing harassment-related posts. Moderators shouldn’t remove posts because they are offended or because the post is “improper.”
There may be other rules that can complicate things, such as the rule that users should only report someone once every 24 hours. Moderators do not have to make difficult decisions but they should be held responsible for them.
Fake news
Social media presents a challenge in that it is difficult to distinguish fact from fiction. Social media platforms have developed user-friendly tools that allow users to rate posts and determine their validity.
These tools must be properly implemented to stop misinformation spreading. Social media platforms need to find ways to solve the fake news problem. This doesn’t mean restricting freedom of speech or giving moderators power to determine what “truth” is. Is
Hate speech or Propaganda
Some social media platforms can also be used to spread hate speech, misinformation and propaganda. This can have serious consequences like spreading misinformation that causes death.
Social media platforms are responsible for upholding specific codes of conduct and being responsible. They should disclose their content processing and not allow dehumanizing or hateful content to go unchecked.
