Class 8 - Social Media - Full Page Slides

Course Overview

  • Course Title: SOC 284 Surveillance and Society

  • Instructor: Dr. Scott Thompson

Contextual News

Trump-Meta Settlement

  • Recent developments indicate a shift in the relationship between Trump and Meta.

  • Trump previously threatened Zuckerberg over perceived undermining; however, recent interactions suggest cooperation.

  • Meta is ending diversity, equity, and inclusion programs, aligning with Trump's vision.

  • Appointment of Trump ally Dana White to Meta's board and significant policy shifts, including content review methodology, signal a change in business direction.

Issues Related to Surveillance and Identity

Tim Hortons Data Collection

  • Investigation into how Tim Hortons' app tracks user location data, revealing discrepancies between user understanding and actual practices.

  • Issues on transparency and user consent highlighted during inquiry.

The Social Dilemma - Key Themes

  • Exploring the relationship between social media technologies and user control:

    • Surveillance mechanisms embedded within platforms.

    • Misrepresentation and privacy concerns in data practices.

Social Media Usage Trends

Growth of Social Media

  • 2009: 200 million users (Brazil-sized population).

  • 2010: 400 million users, surpassing all of South America.

Current User Statistics

  • Facebook's Rank in relation to world population:

    1. China 1.34 billion

    2. India 1.18 billion

    3. Facebook 400 million

  • Meta's platforms reach 3.6 billion users monthly.

Overview of Social Media Adoption and Use (October 2024)

  • Global User Identities: 5.22 billion

  • Average Daily Use: 2 hours 19 minutes

  • Users aged 18 make up the majority with a growth of +50 million year over year.

Social Media and Surveillance

Concept of Surveillance in Social Media

  • Key Questions:

    • How does social media influence information exchange?

    • What forms does social surveillance take?

Characteristics of User Culture in Digital Spaces

  • Users converge in digital spaces to create culture and shape identity.

  • Dynamics include:

    • Authoring personal information

    • Visibility and surveillance implications in social interactions

Anti-essentialism in the Digital Context

  • Lack of a singular essence or identity; individuals are fragmented and defined through interactions.

  • Understandings of self are continually evolving in digital environments.

Convergence and Visibility from Social Media Interaction

Rapid Change and User Adaptation

  • The constant evolution of social media requires users to adapt quickly, affecting personal and societal norms.

Emotional and Social Implications

  • Discomfort with different self-representations can lead to societal pressure and identity crises.

Surveillance Beyond Curiosity

Data and Privacy Issues

  • Collection and processing of data feed into larger systems of control and power.

  • Users often unaware of how their data is utilized or the implications thereof.

Impacts of Social Media on Policing

Examples from Vancouver Riots

  • Crowd-sourced policing methods demonstrated through the 2011 Vancouver Stanley Cup riots.

  • Social media used effectively for identification and prosecution of rioters, showing the dual-edged nature of online platforms as both tools for empowerment and surveillance.