Understanding the Effect of Deplatforming on Social Networks

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The basis of social media processes that keep users safe includes active moderation and the enforcement of terms of service. Some of the actions may include suspending users. However, the effectiveness of these actions, especially concerning general social media and internet activity is unclear. The effects of de-platforming were explored within the following study, and special attention was paid to behaviors and consequences of user suspensions such as migration to alternative platforms with laxer moderation (Ali et al., 2021). There has also been evidence found that de-platforming is related to abusive users becoming more active with extreme ideologies and radicalization. Within the following paper, steps have been made to analyze the process by which users move to alternative platforms after being suspended or otherwise de-platformed. Users that have been suspended on either Twitter or Reddit and have moved to websites such as Gab were observed. Users who migrated were found to have increased levels of toxicity while the reachable audiences decreased. As such, the study promotes that the safety of users goes beyond only one platform.

The following article assesses the current effectiveness of de-platforming on a social media website that experiences a variety of activities that have resulted in suspension, Twitter. In this case, de-platforming is defined as an action that results in a permanent ban of a controversial figure that has amassed a large following on a social media platform (Jhaver et al., 2021). Often, it has been done as a repercussion to offensive speech or actions and has resulted in both positive and negative responses but unclear results. The following study analyzed three prominent figures, Alex Jones, Milo Yiannopoulos, and Owen Benjamin. After their de-platforming, conversations involving the three individuals had noticeably decreased. Additionally, toxicity among the supporters of the three has also been noted to have declined. Though a direct connection between the de-platforming and decreased negative presence cannot be assumed with certainty, the study has made some hypothetical deductions. For instance, the methodological process by which the de-platforming removed the influencers from their primary access to their audience likely contributed to them being unable to amass a similar audience on any other platform.

Within the following article, several terms and concepts are outlined which are prevalent within the debate of de-platformation. Some terms include ‘organized hate’, ‘liberal big tech’, or the labeling of the individuals, often even internet celebrities, that have been de-platformed as dangerous individuals (Rogers, 2021). Both the emerging concepts and the consequences of de-platforming have incited debates about free speech and the role of editors within the sphere of social media. More importantly, the study assesses the effectiveness of suspensions or other actions that can de-platform users. For instance, the research conducted within the study suggested that many internet celebrities migrated to other apps or sites such as Telegram with an alternative social media environment. The article analyzes that while internet celebrities or other de-platformed users can utilize these alternative platforms, their reach is severely diminished. The effects of their absence on sites that they used prior are unclear. Additionally, the study concludes that de-platforming is influencing the current status of critical social media research, including the ability to investigate extreme speech and the audience of such internet celebrities and ideologies on both mainstream and alternative platforms.

Within the recent political climate, especially after incidents such as the 2021 attack on the U.S. Capitol, several accounts on Facebook and Twitter have been suspended or completely deleted (Sprague, 2021). Events such as these have caused debate regarding the true immunity offered by acts such as Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act. This particular section grants social media and other online platforms immunity from liability for them to allow third parties to post information online and also provides them with the option to remove that content. Within the paper, the legal boundaries of these operations are explored to address the actions which were taken during such events. With legal backing, the study argues that platforms are within their rights to remain immune and monitor content and users in ways that allow for robust online speech but avoid intolerant speech.

Unlike previous entries, the following article argues against the benefits of de-platforming and promotes social media regulation as it exists in the current time. Currently, policymakers, pressure groups, and leaders within the technology sector, who have often benefited from total freedom of speech online both financially and otherwise, have made motions to create standards of speech on a variety of platforms (Crew, 2020). Often this becomes an ideological argument field on political background, with one side insisting that social media remains neutral while the other promotes the eradication of harmful content. The study analyzes ways in which changes to Section 230 have been beneficial, with social media platforms being able to address any illegal acts on their platform in an adequate way. However, the study finds that a significant portion of the content is deleted needlessly and that violations of the platform’s terms and services are breached by themselves.

Works Cited

Ali, Shiza, et al. “Understanding the Effect of Deplatforming on Social Networks”. Web Science, 2021, pp.187-195. Web.

Crews, Clyde, W. “The Case against Social Media Content Regulation: Reaffirming Congress’ Duty to Protect Online Bias, ‘Harmful Content,’ and Dissident Speech from the Administrative State”. Issue Analysis, vol.4, 2020, pp.1-34. Web.

Jhaver, Shagun, et al. “Evaluating the Effectiveness of Deplatforming as a Moderation Strategy on Twitter”. Proc. ACM Hum.-Comput. Interact, vol.5, no.2, 2021, pp.380-210. Web.

Rogers, Richard. “Deplatforming: Following extreme Internet celebrities to Telegram and alternative social media”. European Journal of Communication, vol. 35, no.3, 2020, pp.213-229. Web.

Sprague, Robert. Normalizing De-Platforming: The Right Not to Tolerate the Intolerant. 2021. Phd Dissertation. The University of Wyoming.

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