Social Media Bias: an ebook about how algorithms are making decisions for you
Have you ever heard of social media bias? If yes, great! If not, that's okay too! But I am about to tell you things that will blow your mind!
To answer the title question: yes, social media is biased. From Google searches that showed black teenagers as prisoners (and white teenagers and happy stock pictures having fun) to algorithms that merely don't work for darker skin tones, bias is entirely present in the digital sphere.
Now, you might be wondering: "Okay, what does this have to do with me?" and I will answer: EVERYTHING! The technologies you use daily: social media, job applications, apps, you name it, are all biased and making decisions FOR YOU without your knowledge. Really, things are pretty scary.
Now, I am here to tell you that you, as a user should empower yourself and know what is happening. Knowledge is the greatest power against what is happening right now.
In this ebook, I gathered extensive examples of social media bias and mixed them with different cultural theories to explain what is happening, how it is happening & what we can do about it. I don't intend to say I have all the answers, but I definitely have some exciting questions for us to reflect upon. (and many answers too 😉)
Chapters:
Understanding Structural Power and Hegemony
Views on Hegemony: consent, cultural assumptions & contradictory consciousness
White-Male as the Neutral Default
The Backstage of Corporate Digital Platforms
The Complexity and Mechanics of Algorithm Design
Lack of Diversity in Leadership Teams
Content Moderation, Filtering & Algorithm Tweaks
Neutrality in Practice: The Case of Librarians
Part 2: Who is to blame, and what should be the goal?
Responsibility of Being Anti-Prejudiced and Action Plan
Part 3: What should users do and how can we fix it?
a complete book on social media & algorithm bias