Are social media platforms accountable for the societal damage caused by their algorithms?
Social media algorithms are destroying our ability to have meaningful conversations by rewarding outrage over nuance. I've watched friends get radicalized by Facebook's recommendation engine in just a few months, and it's not just anecdotal—studies show that polarizing content gets 6x more engagement. Should we accept that this is just how the internet works, or are platforms accountable for the societal damage they amplify?