The question is provocative but legitimate. And it is the following: are social networks as we know them today destined to exacerbate misinformation, polarization and digital addiction of new generations, or can they still evolve into a different and better future?
If we look at the dominant platforms, from Facebook to Instagram to TikTok, the picture does not look rosy. Algorithms that favor engagement at all costs, often rewarding sensational and divisive content. Feeds bombarded with spam and content blatantly false; mechanisms that drive consumption compulsive and uncritical of posts and videos.
Perhaps, however, all is not lost. Perhaps, thinking outside the box and consolidated business models, we can try to imagine alternative social networks, in which quantity leaves room for quality, indignation for critical thinking, frenzy for nurturing relationships. Utopia? No. protopia. They are not dreams, they are ideas.
“Brain rot” in the social media era: a phenomenon not to be underestimated
Let's start with a fact: the impact of social networks on mental health of the new generations is increasingly at the center of public debate and of the concerns of experts, educators and parents. The effects of this hyperconnection? Anything but positive. On the one hand, constant exposure to unverified content, anxiety-provoking inputs and theories conspiratorial risks undermining the ability to distinguish truth from falsehood and to develop independent critical thinking. On the other hand, the frantic search for likes and followers can generate anxiety, insecurity and a real addiction, with consequences on mental health and social relationships.
It is no coincidence that we are increasingly talking about “brain rot” (literally, "brain rot") to describe this erosion of cognitive and relational faculties linked to excessive and uncritical use of social media. The new generations, born and raised in the social media era, are particularly vulnerable to these dynamics. They are because they have an impact precisely at the moment in which their values, their opinions and their vision of the world are formed.
Rethinking social networks: some ideas and guiding principles
Faced with this scenario, it is easy to give in to pessimism or the temptation to demonize social media as such. But perhaps we should strive to be more constructive and visionary: what if the problem was not social media itself, but the way in which they were conceived and have evolved to date? What if it were possible to radically rethink them, to make them instruments of connection and mutual enrichment rather than of intellectual alienation and impoverishment?
Let's try to imagine some guiding principles for alternative social networks. I put down two notes on how I would see platforms capable of combining the connection potential of the network with the need to protect the psychological well-being and cognitive growth of users. Let me know your ideas on the Futuro Prossimo channels!
From quantity to quality.
Rather than chasing engagement metrics as an end in themselves (views, likes, etc.), the new social networks should reward the quality of content and interactions, favoring reasoned posts, constructive debates, verified sources. Why not think about more sophisticated feedback mechanisms, which enhance the originality of thought and the depth of argument? AI text analysis tools are already there. Our content is used to train these models, give us something in return.
From speed to slowness.
Against the tyranny of "everything at once", we would need to rediscover the value of slowness, reflection and calm discussion. Let's hope introducing limits on the frequency of publication, or “decompression rooms” where you can disconnect from the anxiety of notifications. The goal should be to cultivate authentic relationships, not maximize time spent online.
From the algorithm to serendipity.
The algorithms that govern current social networks tend to create ed bubbles echochamber. In practice, they expose us to increasingly polarizing and homogeneous content, making us increasingly intolerant and incapable of discussion and conversation. What if we instead tried to introduce elements of serendipity and random discovery, bringing together different and unexpected points of view? Because the beauty of the internet should be precisely the possibility of leaving our cognitive comfort zone.
From anonymity to responsibility.
One of the big problems of social networks is the sense of impunity linked to anonymity or the use of fake profiles, which often leads to hate speech and toxic behavior. It is no coincidence that the least "conflicting" platform is LinkedIn, where everyone is present with their own characteristics. Why not imagine more effective forms of moderation and accountability, which make users responsible for the consequences of their online actions? Even without giving up privacy, however, community reputation and self-regulation mechanisms could be studied.
The social network we want depends on the ideas we have. IF we have any.
Mine are just a few ideas, certainly not exhaustive or conclusive. But we all have the opportunity to think outside the box, to question the taken-for-granted logic of current social networks. We need to rethink consolidated business models, overcome resistance and vested interests, and address non-trivial technological and regulatory issues. We need a collective effort of innovators, policy makers, educators and citizens. It's worth it, because the stakes are high.
Be careful, though. Only technical or regulatory solutions are not enough. We need a new "digital social contract", in which everyone takes on three responsibilities. Which? First, cultivate a critical gaze. Second, favor the quality of relationships and information. Third, put the collective interest before individual drives.
If today social networks seem to favor superficiality and polarization, it is also because in some way we allow them to do so, giving in to the temptation of clamor or conformism. Are we capable of reacting?
I know, there are no easy recipes. But we can't afford not to try.
