Debate: Is social media destroying democracy?

Is Social Media Destroying Democracy?
A Debate on Social Media in the Age of Disinformation

Democracy, the fundamental idea that an individual can express their personal choices through a vote, hangs in the balance.

There’s no denying that social media has become a central force in democratic society today. It allows for people to connect and exchange ideas, creating an increasingly connected humanity. It enables unprecedented sharing of information so that citizens can make more informed decisions. Marginalized people, whose voices have long been omitted from public discourse, have a platform with which they can express themselves.

But is social media a tool that informs and unites, or is it responsible for deeper divisions and a more polarized society? Are misinformation, digital propaganda, algorithmic biases, and campaign hacking scandals determining the results of our elections? Do unintended flaws in the platforms and sluggish regulation threaten to undermine our democratic process?

Is social media destroying our democracy? If it is, what role can public policy play in regulation, will regulation even work, and can we save our democracy before it’s too late?

Moderator: Stephen Quinn, host of CBC's Early Edition

Debaters: For

Colin Bennett, UVIC
Dave Moscrop, UofO

Debaters: Against

Nasma Ahmed, Director of Digital Justice Lab
Francesca Fionda, Journalist at the Discourse

[ShamefulSociety]

Fantastic debate. My hearts on the against side. I feel they properly argued the fact that the problems that were used to exploit us through social media existed long before social media. I do express though my same fears and concerns that the panel, especially the for side has towards social media and tech.

I don't see how you could get rid of it either in our society. Seem's like a Pandora's box situation.

I do believe at this point that it's becoming necessity that we start breaking up the tech giants unless they really want to start stepping up to the plate for proper regulation. I just never see them doing it and the fox is already in the hen house.

[waynelai]

One question I kept on thinking when I watched this debate is "so what?" I don't think this is a good resolution to argue because both sides recognise that there is problem. There is no disagreement on the fact that something needs to be done to stop social media from destroying civilisation. The heart of the issue is what can we do? Is the for side arguing to get rid of social media all together? that would be an impossible resolution. If you are arguing the fundamental design of social media destroys democracy, we are practically all doomed because no significant amount of people is going to go back to pre-internet age and live a cave man life.