The police department in Chicago has stepped up its monitoring of social media accounts in an effort to reduce violence in the city. Surveillance of social media has been an important tool used by law enforcement to identify potentially violent individuals and to keep tabs on planned group gatherings that could turn deadly. But some say social media monitoring disproportionately harms minority communities. They point out that Black and brown people tend to be the primary targets of surveillance, and their posts are often taken out of context. Listen to hear a professor express concerns about increased monitoring and then debate: Should social media be monitored for safety?
Story Length: 4:48
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January 4, 2022
3:15
It’s difficult to imagine using the internet without big technology companies like Google and Facebook, but some people are thinking about exactly that. They envision an internet of the future, known as Web3, that is owned collectively by many everyday internet users rather than by a few tech giants. Web3 would offer people some control over the internet sites to which they contribute and some input into how platforms operate. Listen to learn about the push to democratize the internet and why it has the tech world buzzing.
Read MoreOctober 18, 2021
3:50
A former Facebook employee testified before Congress about the harm caused by the tech giant. She said executives at the company knew that Facebook intensified certain social problems, but they chose to prioritize profits and growth over addressing those concerns. She urged Congress to regulate the company and force greater transparency around its algorithms. Listen to hear more about the claims of a Facebook whistleblower, and learn why removing the secrecy around high tech could make it safer.
Read MoreSeptember 10, 2021
3:11
The average American adult spends 4-5 hours on their digital smartphone each day. Some believe that is too much, and the time spent on digital devices could be used in other productive ways. They say that, for many people, use of digital devices has become an addiction, or a behavior that they cannot control. Others point out that phones and other devices help people socialize, connect, and be productive, and frequent use is not harmful. Listen to learn about research on self-control and phone use and then debate: Is digital addiction a national problem?
Read MoreNovember 5, 2020
5:51
Many people feel stressed as the coronavirus pandemic continues to rage, and some are turning to Tabitha Brown for comfort. Brown is a TikTok personality who posts cooking videos accompanied by words of love and encouragement. Her soothing presence has attracted millions of followers, including many young people. Listen to Tabitha Brown explain how she got started on TikTok and the responsibility she feels to her teen audience.
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