Should We Regulate Facebook?

[Darts]

Should we regulate (censor?) Facebook? If yes, how? (I'm old enough to remember when magazines weren't allowed to show genitals, not even Playboy.)

Yes, it’s time to act against Facebook –\u00a0just don’t put the government in charge

There is no way to regulate misinformation by social media firms without putting the government in control of what is true and what is not.

www.usatoday.com

 

[bazokajoe]

I'm kinda surprised people still use it.
Thought it would have gone the way of Myspace by now.

 

[Darts]

I'm kinda surprised people still use it.
Thought it would have gone the way of Myspace by now.

I don't use it much because my conversations are not private on Facebook but I notice the young generation see post by explorerzip are on it all the time.

Realistically, I don't know how Facebook can monitor all conversations to ensure they are all up to "standards". So, what does the government realistically expect from Facebook and other social media? This Senate hearing is simply just for show. But, I guess it makes for good TV to beat up Zuckerberg.

P.S. See additions in red.

 

[explorerzip]

I don't use it much because my conversations are not private but I notice the young generation are on it all the time.

The young ones moved on from Facebook decades ago because their parents and grandparents wanted in. The young ones moved on to Snapchat, Instagram, Tiktok and whatever the newest thing is these days.

 

[LTO_3]

I never thought Facebook had any relevance. Tried it once and unsubscribed in 30 minutes. Mind you I also have no want or need for Snapchat, TicTok, Instagram, etc either.

LTO_3

 

[Darts]

I never thought Facebook had any relevance. Tried it once and unsubscribed in 30 minutes. Mind you I also have no want or need for Snapchat, TicTok, Instagram, etc either.

LTO_3

I use Facebook very rarely. One time our social club planned an outing. The time and venue were posted on Facebook. Another time one of the nude dancers at an SC said I can contact her on Facebook.

I just find it strange that Facebook can be held responsible by a Senator for something that happens to or done by a Facebook member. For example, can Apple be held responsible if an Apple iPhone owner uses his/her iPhone to harass someone or worse use the iPhone to hit someone over the head and kill/maim another person?

 

[xix]

Social media - FB - is like alcohol. IF people are under 19 they must have parental supervision at all times.
I did see the part he apologized, although it felt scripted. This hearing is almost like a advertisement for the elections.

People get bored quickly.... remember IRC /mirc, Ichat, they are all highs, and people want the next best new things. Human psychology at its best I guess or mental health. The need to feel loved and full.

And yes it should be regulated, it is like a newspaper that you were allowed to post in the classified area or opinions page.

I would say the regulation would be more like an excuse by the Gov't to make FB/social media look responsible when the reality of the problem is the people?

 

[LTO_3]

I use Facebook very rarely. One time our social club planned an outing. The time and venue were posted on Facebook. Another time one of the nude dancers at an SC said I can contact her on Facebook.

I just find it strange that Facebook can be held responsible by a Senator for something that happens to or done by a Facebook member. For example, can Apple be held responsible if an Apple iPhone owner uses his/her iPhone to harass someone or worse use the iPhone to hit someone over the head and kill/maim another person?

It's not the first time FB has been called out for not monitoring their system. And sadly other systems, especially X, have removed/significantly reduced their system monitors to reduce the risk of BS/taunting, etc from being posted. The sad part, social networks seem to reduce or eliminate their monitors to save money.
In someways they are responsible but being called out by the Senator was just a show for those in the audience. Will it change anything? Probably not. But again shouldn't the parents also be held responsible for keeping an eye on their kid(s) and any issues they're having? I know that's easier said than done but really it is their responsibility, even if that means monitoring their kids, especially on social networks.

LTO_3

 

[Ref]

Being a facebook moderator comes across as a real mental challenge.

 

[Darts]

It's not the first time FB has been called out for not monitoring their system. And sadly other systems, especially X, have removed/significantly reduced their system monitors to reduce the risk of BS/taunting, etc from being posted. The sad part, social networks seem to reduce or eliminate their monitors to save money.

Here's the problem. I've seen enough of social media to know that many/most/all monitors have a bias. It seems most monitors are wokies/lefties so they will allow all kind of wolkie/leftie stuff but will censor anything slightly right of centre. They are actually part of the problem. Sort of similar to a bias referee in hockey.

 

[LTO_3]

Here's the problem. I've seen enough of social media to know that many/most/all monitors have a bias. It seems most monitors are wokies/lefties so they will allow all kind of wolkie/leftie stuff but will censor anything slightly right of centre. They are actually part of the problem. Sort of similar to a bias referee in hockey.

A good monitor is only as good as the rules they have to follow, it has nothing to do with politics. And referee bias is easily resolved since they are held accountable in any sport. Been there, done that for both.

LTO_3

 

[Darts]

A good monitor is only as good as the rules they have to follow, it has nothing to do with politics.

Then the issue is who makes the rules?

Almost everybody say FOX is right wing.

Almost everybody say CNN and CBC in Canada and the rest of media are left wing.

All forms of media in Canada is left wing (CBC is the worse) with the possible exception of the Sun which is slightly right of centre.

 

[LTO_3]

Then the issue is who makes the rules?

Almost everybody say FOX is right wing.

Almost everybody say CNN and CBC in Canada and the rest of media are left wing.

All forms of media in Canada is left wing (CBC is the worse) with the possible exception of the Sun which is slightly right of centre.

As I already said the rules are only as good as those written. Rules for enforcement/monitoring etc should be neutral just like the rules followed by referee's in all sports. Yes, some are more lenient than others but all fall within the guidelines they have to follow and NOT political. I don't give a crap about what CNN/CBC/Fox do since this is about regulating FB (and other social networks).
FB's self-regulating, as I've already said, has been spotty at best and that's why FB and all other social networks are being dragged before comitttees because they do so poorly on self regulating especially when it comes to kids. As I've previously said some of the blame also falls on the shoulders of the parents not just the social networks. Plenty of blame for everyone involved. Will there be a solution? Maybe but it will never be 100% .

LTO_3

 

[Butler1000]

I just use it to stay in touch with various friends around the world. They will post updates of their lives. Also good for organizing get togethers with various friend groups.

I stay away from all things political. Thats what anonymous sites are for.

 

[wigglee]

Facebook is fine. You won't get banned unless you promote hatred and violence. Otherwise , free speech is good. There are a lot of trolls and idiots there but there are also friends, potential business associates and special interest groups to discover. Lots of mindless crap that can suck you in and waste your time of course, but that's on you and me, not Zuckerburg.

 

[Darts]

Zuckerberg/Facebook must be something right. Those senators must be pissed. (The copy and paste below came with the oversize font. It wasn't me.)

"Mark Zuckerberg made more than $28 billion this morning after Meta stock makes record surge"
https://www.cnn.com/2024/02/02/business/meta-stock-surge-mark-zuckerberg/index.html

 

[Darts]

Until AI take over the world,

1) Rules are written by humans
2) Rules are interpreted and administered by humans

Using a baseball analogy, one umpire sees a pitch as a strike and another sees it as a ball.
Using a hockey analogy, one ref sees it as boarding another ref does not.
Also, ever notice how many court judgments are split decisions. Even learned judges don't always agree. Also, some judges are consider left and some are considered right (human biases).

That is why Facebook and all or nearly all social chat rooms will always be subject to human interpretation, until such time when AI take over the world.

 

[bazokajoe]

Until AI take over the world,

1) Rules are written by humans
2) Rules are interpreted and administered by humans

Using a baseball analogy, one umpire sees a pitch as a strike and another sees it as a ball.
Using a hockey analogy, one ref sees it as boarding another ref does not.
Also, ever notice how many court judgments are split decisions. Even learned judges don't always agree. Also, some judges are consider left and some are considered right (human biases).

That is why Facebook and all or nearly all social chat rooms will always be subject to human interpretation, until such time when AI take over the world.

But somebody on the left or the right has to program the software.

 

[Darts]

But somebody on the left or the right has to program the software.

Oh damn! Back to the drawing board. Will AI solve this problem?

 

[bazokajoe]

Oh damn! Back to the drawing board. Will AI solve this problem?

Only rational people can solve it. People with no stake in the company or politics.