The Impact of Social Media and the Need for Human Intervention

The Problem

Social media platforms like Instagram and Facebook have become an integral part of our lives. They connect us with friends and family, provide entertainment, and keep us updated with global events. However, they also have a darker side. Recent data shows that around 35% of teenagers between the ages of 13 to 15 have been exposed to nudity. This is a serious concern that needs immediate attention.

The reason behind this exposure is the vast amount of unregulated content available on these platforms. The impact on teenagers is severe, affecting their mental health and shaping their understanding of societal norms in a distorted manner. This exposure at such a tender age can lead to confusion, anxiety, and even depression.

YouTube : A Special Case

While all social media platforms contribute to this issue, I want to focus specifically on YouTube. This platform is accessed by people of all age groups, starting as young as two years old. There is a lot of content on YouTube that is inappropriate for specific age groups. This includes violent content, explicit language, and adult themes.

The Measures and Their Limitations

谷歌 has taken measures to address this problem, such as implementing algorithms and introducing YouTube Kids. These algorithms are designed to filter out inappropriate content based on different parameters. However, these measures are not foolproof. Inappropriate content often slips through the cracks, reaching audiences it shouldn’t.

We cannot solely rely on AI and ML algorithms to regulate content. There is a need for human intervention to ensure the appropriateness of content for different age groups. Humans can understand the nuances and cultural contexts that machines often miss.

The Bigger Picture:

In a developing country like India, the challenges posed by biased content are unique and multifaceted. While the educated population has the ability to discern and understand the concept of bias, those who are less educated can fall prey to biased content, leading to significant problems.

Let’s take the example of my home state, Himachal Pradesh. Known for its natural beauty and kind-hearted people, this small state has seen a significant shift in the way information is consumed. With the advent of smartphones and the increase in their usage post-pandemic, more and more people have started relying on YouTube for news and information.

The Shift to Digital Consumption

Before the pandemic, people in Himachal Pradesh relied on traditional sources of news like newspapers and television. These sources, while not completely free from bias, were regulated and had a certain level of credibility. However, with the shift to digital consumption, the floodgates to unregulated and potentially biased content were opened.

People started watching shorts and videos on politics without having the means to verify whether the content was modified or real. The problem was not just the consumption of this content, but the belief in it. This belief, based on unverified and potentially biased information, started shaping their opinions and decisions.

The Impact of Biased Content

The impact of this shift is far-reaching. It is disheartening to see that people are now divided based on political parties, rather than caste, religion, or economic status. One of the main reasons behind this division is the biased content online, with YouTube being a significant contributor.

This division based on political parties is not just a social issue. It affects the harmony of the community, leads to conflicts, and hampers the overall development of the region.

The Need for Improvement

While YouTube and other social media platforms have their benefits, they also pose serious challenges. We need to address these issues and work towards creating a safer and unbiased online environment. This requires serious improvement in the way content is regulated on these platforms.

We cannot rely solely on AI and ML to improve this, we need human intervention. Companies like Appen , Rakuten Insight , Cint etc. are already providing services in this direction. They employ human reviewers to check the content and ensure its appropriateness.

In conclusion, while social media has its benefits, it also poses serious challenges. It is crucial for us to address these issues and work towards creating a safer and more unbiased online environment. We need to educate people about the potential biases in online content and encourage critical thinking. Only then can we hope to mitigate the negative impacts of social media.