Is it right to shift responsibly for misbehaviour online from the users to the platforms?
Some time ago, TalkSport Radio, a popular UK radio station, made headlines with a bold but ultimately short-lived decision to ban mentions of Twitter, now known as X. The move followed a distressing episode where presenter Stan Collymor was targeted with vicious racist abuse and death threats on the platform. The station’s decision to cut ties with X was initially seen as a brave stance against online harassment, aiming to pressure the platform into taking stronger action against abusive users.
However, the ban was reversed not long after. The station’s leadership realised that, despite the understandable impulse behind the move, it came across as somewhat childish and ineffective. The ban failed to address the root of the problem or bring about any meaningful change in combating online abuse. It became clear that simply distancing itself from X did little to solve the broader issue at hand.
This episode raises important questions about the nature of corporate social responsibility (CSR) in the digital age. Traditionally, CSR has been associated with companies like Starbucks ensuring fair wages for coffee farmers or Shell safeguarding the environment. But when we shift this concept to social media, the dynamics change. Here, platforms like X might be compared to the coffee farmer, while users are more like the coffee beans themselves. The platform provides the infrastructure, while users contribute the content and interactions.
The key issue is whether it’s fair to place the entire burden of responsibility on the platform. Social media companies, while crucial in setting and enforcing community guidelines, cannot single-handedly control user behaviour. They can introduce policies and tools to curb abuse, but they need users to actively engage with these systems to be effective.
It’s worth considering whether users have been getting away with inappropriate behaviour for too long, partly because it’s easier for governments and public figures to blame social media platforms. This shift in blame might have allowed individuals to shirk their personal responsibilities. Have we lost sight of individual accountability in the digital world? While platforms have a significant role in creating and enforcing standards, users must also own their behaviour and contribute to a respectful online environment.