Social media platforms have become increasingly difficult to govern due to the rise of conspiracy theories, monetization, and the spread of misinformation. The recent case involving Kate Middleton, the Princess of Wales, serves as a prime example of this issue.
On platforms like TikTok, short clips presenting conspiracy theories about the Princess’s cancer diagnosis have garnered millions of views. These videos, often presented as factual and delivered in a reporter-style, are shared across various platforms, including Twitter and WhatsApp, blurring the lines between fact and fiction.
The shift in social media content presentation has led to a loss of user control over what they see. Platforms now default to a “For You” page, a feed of content from people the user doesn’t follow, leading to a market of attention-seeking and selling. This system incentivizes the creation of content that triggers high engagement, such as conspiracy theories.
Content creators often monetize their posts through “shop fronts,” where they earn a commission when users buy the recommended items. However, the act of watching, sharing, and engaging with a post can also generate revenue for the user who posted it.
The spread of conspiracy theories online is not a new phenomenon, but the substance and source of these theories have shifted from sensationalist to sober, appearing as part of the everyday feed. This trend became more pronounced with the new Twitter regime under Elon Musk, where people who pay for blue tick badges get preferential treatment in how their posts are viewed by non-followers.
read more > www.theguardian.com