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Often, we spend so much time discussing “what’s wrong” with social media, that we don’t have time to discuss how to change social media for the better. And that’s why a recent conference hosted by Harvard’s Applied Social Media Lab is so interesting. The entire goal of the event was to consider ways to foster healthier, more satisfying civic discourse online. And some of the ideas that emerged out of the event, if put into action, could be truly game-changing.
New algorithms
One of the most popular solutions was the proposed creation of entirely new algorithms designed to emphasize better behavior. Right now, algorithms have a bias toward sensationalism and inflammatory content. In the future, algorithms might be adjusted to promote calmer, more rational discourse. That’s something we need to teach the bots.
New applications
Another idea is the creation of entirely new app experiences. Let’s face it, all the big social media apps are remarkably similar these days. There’s a focus on gaining followers and subscribers. There’s a timeline of recent activity. And there’s a focus on using video in order to boost engagement. What if we decide to throw out each of these factors, scrap it all, and start with something new? At the very least, that might stop social media apps designed for kids from looking exactly like the apps designed for grown-ups.
A shift in mindset
Things get even more interesting when you consider a potential shift in mindset that might be possible at the big social media companies. Right now, the prevailing mindset is “promote and police.” You promote the content you want to see on your platform, and you then police any new content that is being created, such that only the “right” content appears.
This is destructive for several reasons. It suggests that users of a social media platform can no longer be trusted. Keep in mind: the title of the Harvard event was “Beyond Discourse Dumpster Fires.” Because, if you think about it, that’s what much discourse on social media has become: a giant, raging dumpster fire. To put out that dumpster fire, we need a change in mindset.
A new focus on “non-custodial adults”
The participants at the Harvard event also drilled down on the concept of “non-custodial adults.” These are all the adults in your life that help to take care of you when you are outside of the home. It includes coaches, teachers, pastors, and family members like aunts and uncles.
If you think about it, most social media platforms really don’t emphasize these types of interactions. You are either a “friend” or a “follower.” But think about it – is your teacher really ever going to be your “friend”? Is a pastor ever going to be your “follower”? In fact, doesn’t it always seem a little bit icky when you encounter older adults on a platform like Facebook? But it’s exactly these older adults who can make the biggest difference in your life.
New AI innovations
And, as might be expected, the Harvard social media conference also considered a potential role for artificial intelligence (AI) in social media. This goes beyond just using AI to make smarter algorithms. It also includes a potential role for AI chatbots, who might help to cut down on all the misinformation and conspiracy theories out there. And it also considers the fact that people are becoming much more comfortable interacting with AI avatars as if they are real people. If you have ever known anyone with an “AI girlfriend,” then you know exactly what I’m talking about.
Are big changes coming soon to social media?
All of the above gives me hope that big changes could be coming to social media soon. But it will require an entirely new approach, in which social media users collaborate with social media companies to create a better overall experience that goes well beyond just “promote and police.”
