Social Media Ethics | Encyclopedia MDPI

Social Media Ethics: Comparison

Please note this is a comparison between Version 2 by Perry Fu and Version 1 by Dimitra Skandali.

Social media refers to digital platforms that enable users to create, share, and engage with content within virtual communities. Platforms like Facebook, X, Instagram, and TikTok have democratized content creation, allowing individuals to share ideas, opinions, and experiences with global audiences. Social media has revolutionized the way information is shared and consumed, offering unprecedented opportunities for learning, engagement, and democratic participation. However, this accessibility comes with significant ethical challenges, particularly centered around the paradox of freedom versus harm—the tension between upholding freedom of expression and mitigating the harms of misinformation, privacy violations, and AI-driven bias. This entry explores the dilemmas and opportunities associated with social media, examining how these platforms shape public discourse, influence consumer behavior, and challenge traditional notions of truth and accountability. It aims to provide policymakers, educators, and platform designers with actionable insights to foster ethical social media environments.

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Social media has transformed the way humanity communicates, democratizing information while introducing unprecedented ethical challenges. Platforms like Facebook, X (formerly Twitter), and TikTok empower individuals to share ideas globally, yet they also amplify misinformation, algorithmic bias, and threats to democratic integrity. This duality presents a fundamental paradox: social media expands freedom of expression but simultaneously risks causing societal harm through unregulated content, manipulative algorithms, and AI-driven marketing.

The stakes are high. The Voller Fairfax Media case in 2021 in Australia set a legal precedent, ruling that media companies could be liable for third-party comments on their social media pages—a decision that underscores the tension between free speech and accountability. Meanwhile, AI-driven marketing—the use of artificial intelligence to personalize and optimize digital advertisements—raises concerns about manipulative microtargeting in elections.

This entry article examines the ethical landscape of social media, focusing on three critical issues:

Misinformation and disinformation—How viral falsehoods undermine trust.
Algorithmic bias and AI ethics—How automated systems reinforce inequality.
Democratic integrity—How social media both empowers and destabilizes governance.

By integrating empirical examples, historical context, and policy implications, we provide a roadmap for balancing digital freedoms with ethical responsibility.