Instruction
In this module, you read about the dark side of internet and social media communication, including cyberbullying, catfishing, and other forms of harassment and deception.
Now imagine that you are the CEO of a social media site called Washington World devoted to Congressional politics. Your social network allows users to share opinions and comment on each other’s posts anonymously. Your social media site has received criticism because anonymous posters have been engaging in cyberbullying and harassment of supporters of one political party in an attempt to drive supporters of that party out of your social network. Your task is to determine what steps you plan to take to address this situation.After reviewing the required reading in the attached notes respond to the following questions and use vocabulary from notes and reference notes using the book/page info in the attached document.
What are the benefits and the drawbacks of anonymous comments?
Would you as CEO ban anonymous comments from Washington World?
How would you balance freedom of speech with protecting users from cyberbullying and harassment?
Would you, as CEO of Washington World, do more to monitor speech on your social media network?
What effect might this have on free expression?
Finally, using what you have learned about mass communication, prepare a one-paragraph “Message from the CEO” announcing your response to the cyberbullying issue. Explain your plans for what changes, if any, you plan to make, and how you anticipate this impacting users. What questions do you anticipate they will have? How can you address these?
In general, how does this case study reflect challenges posed by social media and electronic communication? Compared to traditional mass media, how are these “new” problems?