There may be times when we are powerless to prevent in justice, but there must never be a time when we fail to protest.
Elie Wiesel
I can’t tell you why I opened this post with the Bemelman mural to illustrate ethics, or lack of. I could have chosen the Facebook post leading to this article. I just didn’t want to begin with something so objectionable. So for your review, here is what lead me to write this.
This concerns me on a couple of levels. First, because I lean towards liberal, it feels personal. Second, because no matter what group of people it might target it feels threatening. Inspiring hate.
When I first saw it, I contacted Facebook. Confident that if they read it, it would be removed. Of course that is not the way they saw it. What was I thinking? This is the sort of thing they exist for. Posts relating to art, literature, music, museums, travel. Photos from friends. That may have been how Facebook started. It is no longer their focus. Featuring the sensational and shocking is what keeps them going, today.
Of course, this applies to all social media sites, not just Facebook. I should have prefaced this by saying, I don’t believe in censorship. The problem is how to define social media sites. We wouldn’t expect or accept this definition of liberalism on a news site. But, that isn’t what social media is. What exactly is it? That’s the problem.
Facebook, has been the subject of many controversies over content, including fake news and hate speech. I’m not capable of resolving those issues. So, this is what I can do. I can delete my account. Once I figure out how.
There are features about Facebook I like and will miss. I enjoy keeping up with friends, hearing about events and new restaurants. Here’s the catch. I only have two social media sites and I don’t know if I want to give up Instagram. Yes, I know, they’re both owned by Meta. Yet, I don’t have the same problems with Instagram content I do with Facebook. Is that more about how I have structured it than it is the site? It’s challenging. Maybe, I’ll start with removing myself from Facebook and decide to do the same with Instagram. We’ll see.
Aging with Grace 
5 responses to “The Ethics of Social Media”
I am in full agreement with you. This is the evaluation I hear from so many. I must be doing something differently. All I receive are messages from family and friends. Or maybe, that is all I pay attention to? I will pay closer attention.
Since so many people are giving up FB, maybe, if enough do, then FB will wake up? It has to effect their bottom line.
LikeLike
This piece was reposted by someone I went to school with. I have enjoyed being in contact with classmates I haven’t seen in years. However, people change and this period in our Country has brought out the worst in many. My main concern is Facebook promoting this vitriol.
LikeLike
While reading that meme from FB, one can feel the hate woven into every word. You are right, my sweet soul, whatever stirs a reaction and gets people’s blood boiling is considered fun for Meta and social media in general. This is why I no longer use the app Next Door, because of all the drama induced posts.
I’ve deactivated my FB account several times, but then I’m unaware of local events and I enjoy connecting with friends. I removed the Instagram and Facebook app from my phone and that helps. The only time I look at either one is from my laptop, when I remember. If something it truly offensive, I’ll report it and block it from being seen again, because of that seed planted in my heart that says, “Good overcomes evil.”
LikeLike
You are my shining star when it comes to common sense and approaching life in a level headed way. Removing social media apps from our phones is a good idea. It’s not necessary to be inundated with this stuff at every moment. ❤️
LikeLiked by 1 person
Aw…thank you, lovely. It’s really helpful not having them on my phone and I have very few apps installed in general because they do tend to follow us around. We have more control that we think! 💜
LikeLike