Bambini alimentati con contenuti tossici dagli algoritmi di social media, lo studio scopre

People keep linking the rise of the far-right around the world to an increase in immigration, but that ignores that the highest support for the far-right tends to be in areas with the least immigration.

The same pattern applies between countries – with countries like Ireland with higher immigration having a non-existent far-right (only 1% of the vote, despite what American/British astroturfing and toxic algorithms might make you think), while countries like Poland have a large far-right despite having much less immigration.

The sudden rise in the far-right in recent years is massively caused by the fact that social media companies can use recommender systems to amplify hateful content to maximise engagement (aka profit).

I think we need to have a conversation about unfettered internet access not just for children.

Humans are liable to manipulation by people that understand psychology and it is happening in a big way online.

We need to look at banning toxic outlets like Tik Tok and Twatter. More importantly we need to teach critical thinking in schools as a stand alone subject and give people the tools to be able to combat manipulation.

I tried to get into TikTok with a fresh account (no email linked anywhere else) and it was a barrage of assholes doing “ireland is full” style content.

One of the big problems I see in the debate here is we go into “only in Ireland” mode and start blaming schools and society at large. Neither are the problem.

The concerning bit is that untrustworthy AI owned by some of the most obnoxious oligarchs in living memory is effectively raising your kids.

People used to say television rotted the brain — but most of it was carefully thought out children’s programming that at least aimed to be somewhat beneficial and entertaining. That is not the case with algorithms online — it doesn’t even know what it’s serving up. It just knows that it pushes your buttons and generates clicks and sticky viewing, and they’re completely amoral when it comes to what micro targeting money they’ll accept.

Also I’ve noticed myself that some of the most cautious people about social media — particularly when it comes to their kids, but also their own exposure, all seem to work in tech or communication or be very savvy about both.

Then at the other extreme you’ve people handing 7 year olds open access to iPads and phones. The toxic bit is often the spiral of videos and shorts on YouTube, Instagram and TikTok – and it starts with something fun and innocuous … then someone clicks something a bit more edgy or hits on an influencer and … down the spiral it goes.