Beware of what you share.
Did you know that a technology-savvy third party can view your entire social media persona, even if you do your best to keep them private? “Even your personal social pictures on Instagram can get linked back to your work account on LinkedIn, particularly if you do any kind of digging,” he said. “People should therefore be careful and smart about what they share, keeping in mind the potential consequences.”
Pop the (filter) bubble.
Some users’ social media intake is limited to perspectives that match and echo their own views. Therefore, Caverlee encourages users to seek opposing viewpoints in order to have a well-rounded view of an issue.
Remember: If it bleeds, it leads (on social media).
Large companies create sensational content to get more interaction, feedback, followers and shares in order to influence the algorithm. “On some platforms, a controversial or outrageous post may drive more interaction or feedback,” he said. “If that does happen, then the algorithms record that those posts lead to more engagement, and hence you tend to see more of those posts, which can distort your view of the world.”
See the forest from the trees.
Obnoxious online comments by one vocal partisan—often related to sports or politics—does not mean an entire group feels the same way.
Don’t go down the rabbit hole.
The traditional ways of gauging someone’s expertise have been erased, and now anyone can claim to be an expert online. Many groups have formed around these self-professed experts, which has led to the creation of online pathways to dangerous conspiracy theories in the dark sections of the web and social media. “There are these unintended consequences of the internet that allow these negative behaviors and ideologies to ferment,” he said. “These vibrant and large ecosystems can propagate these kinds of conspiracies. We as consumers of this information don’t have the training or the tools to deal with it.”
Feeling safer in the social media landscape thanks to Dr. Caverlee’s advice? Support faculty, students and research like his in the Department of Computer Science and Engineering through an online gift at give.am/CSE_Fund.
