Debate Should social media platforms be held responsible for the spread of misinformation?

[Spooky Shortie's iconSpooky Shortie]

Social media plays a big part in people's lives online nowadays and whilst years back, you could get away with a lot online, it is not so easy anymore with consequences given if you are caught doing something you shouldn't be. This includes the spreading of misinformation.

Do you feel social media platforms should be held responsible for the spread of misinformation on their social media platforms?

 

[Kennysplash]

Indeed social media is responsible for the spread of false rumors and information. At this point no one should believe totally what is on there without proper research on their end.
What is also more concerning is that there are little ways you can make people responsible for their actions online.

 

[Spooky Shortie's iconSpooky Shortie]

Indeed social media is responsible for the spread of false rumors and information. At this point no one should believe totally what is on there without proper research on their end.
What is also more concerning is that there are little ways you can make people responsible for their actions online.

This is very true; there is not enough in place to punish those who do things online that should be punished, specifically bullying and spreading misinformation.

You hear of laws in place, but unless they are made aware of what is happening online to be able to punish them, it goes unnoticed and they get away with it.

 

[Nomad]

Yes, social media platforms should be held responsible for the spread of misinformation. Since they are the platform provider, they should take proactive steps to control fake information.

 

[Spooky Shortie's iconSpooky Shortie]

Yes, social media platforms should be held responsible for the spread of misinformation. Since they are the platform provider, they should take proactive steps to control fake information.

I couldn't agree with and at the moment, I do not think they take as much responsibility as they should.

You would think that the government would step in and say something, especially with what gets seen online, but so far, nothing much seems to be happening, meaning the owners of the social media platforms can get away with it if they so wish.

 

[KrissyCakes09]

I do think they should be responsible but are they? Not all the time.

 

[Ginger]

Yes these social media and websites are responsible in spreading fake news and there should be a way so that these misleading posts can be removed easily and the poster should be punished

 

[Mike30]

Well, social media is not longer a place for people to gather, It has become a massive public information weapon.
Yes, they should be more careful. I would give them a period of time to get fixed. And make them accountable for misinformation.
Misinformation is a weapon with a lot of bad consequences, worldwide.

 

[eLdavis]

The Truth of the matter is why it would be easy to hold social media responsible for this, it is almost impossible for them to fully control every information that comes in. It's best for people to simply take these information that comes in with a grain of salt.

 

[Herman Munster's iconHerman Munster]

I don't really see that being possible when Donald Trump is busy posting nonsense on social media.

 

[Ginger]

The problem is Mark. The majority of the Social networking websites are under him and he is running his propaganda to spread fake news and not doing anything to stop this.

 

[Sanjeev]

Yes, that's true; social media these days is responsible for spreading fake news. This is because lots of people still believe in social media and think that everything they see on social media is true, and the people who post know it and continue doing it to get likes and views, but someone has to do it. In my opinion Facebook must be strict to ban people who spread fake news.

 

[Ginger]

Government of every country should adopt some strict measures to stop these nonsense senseless and fake posts on social networking websites and apps and this is the only way these posts can be removed.

 

[uptrendfinancialsignal]

Social media definitely needs some responsibility as it's the hub for fake news, but people too play their part in it. I’ve seen so many fake news posts spreading like wildfire. To be fair, the platforms could do more to stop it with just a few clicks like warnings, fact-checks, stuff like that. Honestly, people need to slow down before clicking “share.” I try to double-check everything before posting anything, but even I sometimes get tricked. I saw an obituary of someone close to me on Facebook and I nearly stopped breathing. We later discovered that it was the work of an online loan company. The guy took a loan but couldn't make the full payment before the due date and they started blackmailing him, spreading such devastating information..Platforms can’t fix everything, but they should at least make it harder for misinformation to spread.