Category: Social Media

TheVoiceOfJoyce Is an American company capable of making decisions about our children’s online safety? The British coroner and the new regulatory arm of the British Government, have found against Instagram, in the suicide of 14 yr old Molly Russell. The Coroner decided that Meta was responsible for showing harmful content to a young teenager, 6 months prior to her suicide. In America, there is no Law regulating content appropriate for teenage viewing. In Australia, they’ve determined that content provided on online platforms must be regulated as well. Not only is content harmful to kids, it’s been separately found that data about our kids is shared with third parties and violates their privacy. In America, changing Section 230 of the Communication Decency Act, would make the internet safer for our kids and strengthen our Democracy. Regulation can act as a megaphone for truth and science and not a megaphone for disinformation, misinformation and violence. Think? Do you want a Corporation deciding what you see? Shouldn’t Corporations be accountable for their content? Wouldn’t you want control over who sees your data? Wouldn’t you want the ability to opt out of forced agreements? If you answered , yes, then the Social Media Platforms must be researched and their Algorithms made transparent., too!

October 13, 2022

http://www.theguardian.com/technology/2022/oct/05/techscape-molly-russell-inquest What content is safe for a child to view online? Who gets to decide what is OK and what is dangerous? And how much of a role should a government, a company or a parent play in that decision? These questions were brought into focus by the inquest into the death of 14-year-old Molly … More TheVoiceOfJoyce Is an American company capable of making decisions about our children’s online safety? The British coroner and the new regulatory arm of the British Government, have found against Instagram, in the suicide of 14 yr old Molly Russell. The Coroner decided that Meta was responsible for showing harmful content to a young teenager, 6 months prior to her suicide. In America, there is no Law regulating content appropriate for teenage viewing. In Australia, they’ve determined that content provided on online platforms must be regulated as well. Not only is content harmful to kids, it’s been separately found that data about our kids is shared with third parties and violates their privacy. In America, changing Section 230 of the Communication Decency Act, would make the internet safer for our kids and strengthen our Democracy. Regulation can act as a megaphone for truth and science and not a megaphone for disinformation, misinformation and violence. Think? Do you want a Corporation deciding what you see? Shouldn’t Corporations be accountable for their content? Wouldn’t you want control over who sees your data? Wouldn’t you want the ability to opt out of forced agreements? If you answered , yes, then the Social Media Platforms must be researched and their Algorithms made transparent., too!

TheVoiceOfJoyce Europe, dependent on Russian oil, will be plunged into recession. China is suffering from a real estate ponzu scheme and Zero Covid policy, crippling its economic output. America, we have short term problems brought on by Corporate Greed. Corporations here are monopolies without competition. They charge whatever they can, while keeping labor wages low. It’s a win win for a few. In the 80’s Volcker raised interest rate to curb inflation and it wasn’t until America was plunged into Recession, that the government raised taxes to get us out of the Recession. Both the US and UK should take a policy lesson from the 1980’s, start taxing Corporations now. Go to 28% and close loopholes. Then, it won’t matter if labor get a long deserved increase in pay and benefits. Labor needs these increases to survive. Americans need Corporations and the top 1% to pay their fair share. A 2% tax on the top 1% assets would add billions to the IRS. A 28% tax on Corporations should be the first step towards taxing Corporations. Their free ride, is making it impossible for too many Americans to survive. Raising interest rates is one tool in the Federal toolbox. Another tool is raising Corporate taxes. Then fund the IRS to collect the tax. I always thought, this country needed to put 1000’s of auditors to work and collect the trillions in tax evasion. America should not be inadvertently plunged into Recession. The poor and the middle class need a social safety net. We can have it “all”.

September 26, 2022

http://www.theguardian.com/business/2022/sep/26/leading-economies-sliding-into-recession-as-ukraine-war-cuts-growth-finds-oecd The world’s leading economies are sliding into recession as the global energy and inflation crises sparked by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine cut growth by more than previously forecast, according to the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD). A dependency on expensive gas for heavy industry and home heating will plunge Germany, Italy and … More TheVoiceOfJoyce Europe, dependent on Russian oil, will be plunged into recession. China is suffering from a real estate ponzu scheme and Zero Covid policy, crippling its economic output. America, we have short term problems brought on by Corporate Greed. Corporations here are monopolies without competition. They charge whatever they can, while keeping labor wages low. It’s a win win for a few. In the 80’s Volcker raised interest rate to curb inflation and it wasn’t until America was plunged into Recession, that the government raised taxes to get us out of the Recession. Both the US and UK should take a policy lesson from the 1980’s, start taxing Corporations now. Go to 28% and close loopholes. Then, it won’t matter if labor get a long deserved increase in pay and benefits. Labor needs these increases to survive. Americans need Corporations and the top 1% to pay their fair share. A 2% tax on the top 1% assets would add billions to the IRS. A 28% tax on Corporations should be the first step towards taxing Corporations. Their free ride, is making it impossible for too many Americans to survive. Raising interest rates is one tool in the Federal toolbox. Another tool is raising Corporate taxes. Then fund the IRS to collect the tax. I always thought, this country needed to put 1000’s of auditors to work and collect the trillions in tax evasion. America should not be inadvertently plunged into Recession. The poor and the middle class need a social safety net. We can have it “all”.

TheVoiceOfJoyce Will anyone think the Referendums taking place in Luthansk, Donetsk, Kherson & Zaporizhzhia are Legitimate? What about the 900,000-1.6 million deported to Russia? Sham Referendums to secure an increase in Russian military aid, can’t work? Will the people have a free choice? Not likely. Already, 6700 people have left Russia for the West. More are fleeing from Russia to escape the draft. Protesters are being rounded up to serve in the Russian army. The Ukrainian counteroffensive can’t stop and must push forward, even while Referendums are held. Retaking Russian controlled territory is a military imperative. Meanwhile, in a sign of goodwill, the Chinese representative to the UN is offering to help broker Peace with Russia. Prisoner exchanges by Saudi Arabia included Roman Abramovich , Chelsea United’s owner. What happens after day 212?

September 23, 2022

http://www.theguardian.com/world/live/2022/sep/23/ukraine-war-latest-news-referendums-to-start-in-occupied-regions-zelenskiy-urges-russian-protests Wang was cited by Chinese state media as saying that all efforts conducive to peaceful settlement of the Ukraine crisis must be supported. The meeting took place as voting in “referendums” began in the Russian-occupied areas of Ukraine – Luhansk, Donetsk, Kherson and Zaporizhzhia provinces. Wang told Kuleba that the “sovereignty and territorial integrity … More TheVoiceOfJoyce Will anyone think the Referendums taking place in Luthansk, Donetsk, Kherson & Zaporizhzhia are Legitimate? What about the 900,000-1.6 million deported to Russia? Sham Referendums to secure an increase in Russian military aid, can’t work? Will the people have a free choice? Not likely. Already, 6700 people have left Russia for the West. More are fleeing from Russia to escape the draft. Protesters are being rounded up to serve in the Russian army. The Ukrainian counteroffensive can’t stop and must push forward, even while Referendums are held. Retaking Russian controlled territory is a military imperative. Meanwhile, in a sign of goodwill, the Chinese representative to the UN is offering to help broker Peace with Russia. Prisoner exchanges by Saudi Arabia included Roman Abramovich , Chelsea United’s owner. What happens after day 212?

TheVoiceOfJoyce The representatives of truth and fairness should be concerned. The Internet is not neutral. There is an ultra conservative bias built into the system. The Social Media Platforms are neo liberal. ( no accountability, self regulating and support small government) Therefore, according to existing Law, they can’t change, their power over the data they collect and the content they allow, on their platforms, belongs to them and not us. Congressional misinformation makes them billions. All data that’s controversial, creates influencers and those influencers attract millions, and make millions for themselves, and the Social Media Platforms they choose. You want to preserve our Democracy? You want to stop the Culture Wars? Change Section 230 of the Communication Law and write new Laws, regulating what can be transmitted on Social Media platforms. The worst offender is Meta/Facebook. They won’t willingly relent. Remember Facebook partnered with Cambridge Analytica to understand Facebook’s role in Election & voting decision making. Cambridge Analytica funding came from the Mercer’s, conservative leaning billionaires. TikTok is now removing political parties, politicians and campaigns from their site. Twitter is also stopping political ads somewhat. The others? Only Laws will restore ourDemocracy and decrease culture Wars. Do you want to hear the truth or lies? Do you want Democracy or Corporations to decide what information you see? The Social Media business model , wants no regulation and unlimited power. They have more power and money than anyone else. Do you want them, to make life choices for us? Or, Do you want to be an informed citizen and make your own decisions? We can have a say in Social Media content, by writing Laws to protect our privacy and our Democracy.

September 22, 2022

http://www.washingtonpost.com/technology/2022/09/22/midterms-elections-social-media-civil-rights/ Through memos and meetings, the Change the Terms coalition for months had pleaded with Facebook parent Meta, Twitter, TikTok and YouTube to bolster the content moderation systems that it says allowed Trump’s baseless claims about election rigging to spread, setting the groundwork for the Jan. 6, 2021, riot at the U.S. Capitol, according to … More TheVoiceOfJoyce The representatives of truth and fairness should be concerned. The Internet is not neutral. There is an ultra conservative bias built into the system. The Social Media Platforms are neo liberal. ( no accountability, self regulating and support small government) Therefore, according to existing Law, they can’t change, their power over the data they collect and the content they allow, on their platforms, belongs to them and not us. Congressional misinformation makes them billions. All data that’s controversial, creates influencers and those influencers attract millions, and make millions for themselves, and the Social Media Platforms they choose. You want to preserve our Democracy? You want to stop the Culture Wars? Change Section 230 of the Communication Law and write new Laws, regulating what can be transmitted on Social Media platforms. The worst offender is Meta/Facebook. They won’t willingly relent. Remember Facebook partnered with Cambridge Analytica to understand Facebook’s role in Election & voting decision making. Cambridge Analytica funding came from the Mercer’s, conservative leaning billionaires. TikTok is now removing political parties, politicians and campaigns from their site. Twitter is also stopping political ads somewhat. The others? Only Laws will restore ourDemocracy and decrease culture Wars. Do you want to hear the truth or lies? Do you want Democracy or Corporations to decide what information you see? The Social Media business model , wants no regulation and unlimited power. They have more power and money than anyone else. Do you want them, to make life choices for us? Or, Do you want to be an informed citizen and make your own decisions? We can have a say in Social Media content, by writing Laws to protect our privacy and our Democracy.

TheVoiceOfJoyce Our health Data searches and concerns are no longer private on the Internet. They never were. Android phones have ad privacy that must be used constantly, otherwise, those browsers, like WebMD, Drugs.com and key words like depression or anxiety are passed on to 3 rd party advertisers targeting you. HIPPA Laws don’t apply to the Internet. Our behavior is tracked by Facebook and Google, every time we search. Our searches, identify us , the information is sold to 3 rd Parties and they can use it , as they wish. Our employers can see our searches and data, insurers, credit card grantors or law enforcement. Apple products are less invasive, we can click the “ do not track “ option. However, our internet providers are using the same business model as Social Media Platforms and they , too, are harvesting information on us and selling it for profit. The Solution, redefining Section 230 of the FTC Law granting Internet Companies absolute control over our data. Write new Laws and amend Section 230, to protect our Medical Privacy and all other personal information, we don’t want shared. All our data should belong to us, it’s not for sale to be potentially used against us. HIPPA privacy, I want it! Do you?

September 22, 2022

http://www.washingtonpost.com/technology/2022/09/22/health-apps-privacy/ We click through quickly and accept ‘agree’ without really contemplating the downstream potential trade-offs,” he said. Those trade-offs could take a few forms, like our information landing in the hands of data sellers, employers, insurers, real estate agents, credit granters or law enforcement, privacy experts say. Even small bits of information can be combined … More TheVoiceOfJoyce Our health Data searches and concerns are no longer private on the Internet. They never were. Android phones have ad privacy that must be used constantly, otherwise, those browsers, like WebMD, Drugs.com and key words like depression or anxiety are passed on to 3 rd party advertisers targeting you. HIPPA Laws don’t apply to the Internet. Our behavior is tracked by Facebook and Google, every time we search. Our searches, identify us , the information is sold to 3 rd Parties and they can use it , as they wish. Our employers can see our searches and data, insurers, credit card grantors or law enforcement. Apple products are less invasive, we can click the “ do not track “ option. However, our internet providers are using the same business model as Social Media Platforms and they , too, are harvesting information on us and selling it for profit. The Solution, redefining Section 230 of the FTC Law granting Internet Companies absolute control over our data. Write new Laws and amend Section 230, to protect our Medical Privacy and all other personal information, we don’t want shared. All our data should belong to us, it’s not for sale to be potentially used against us. HIPPA privacy, I want it! Do you?

TheVoiceOfJoyce Misinformation on a grand scale comes from ex President Trump and followers, retweeting at an unprecedented rate. Misinformation abounds on Facebook and Twitter, their algorithms promote retweets and up until a few months ago, on Twitter, politicians were given an unlimited platform for their campaigns and fund raising. Twitter has just banned misinformation on Covid and elections. Facebook has not and allows misinformation to polarize American Society and our Politics. When you look at the volume of tweets and retweets at least 50% are automated. Trump learned how to weaponize Social Media in the run up to the 2016 election. His retweets have been successful thru his grass roots network, beginning with Trump Jr, Lin Wood, Powell and Steve Bannon. The alt right has been planning their messaging for 30 yrs. With the advent of Social Media, AI and the Social Media business model, there is no regulation of malicious content. Most Platforms, excluding Twitter recently and TikTok this week, allow politicians leeway to say whatever they want. Considering the harm to the Public, Social Media Platforms require Congressional Legislation to protect us from lies and misinformation that harms us and our Democracy. Unfortunately, Voices for Democracy and the truth are not equally represented.

September 21, 2022

http://www.washingtonpost.com/technology/2020/10/30/trump-twitter-domestic-disinformation/ While researchers believe there is a significant degree of automation powering Trump’s megaphone, they do not contend that he or his supporters routinely break Twitter’s rules. The company allows enthusiastic followers to use software to automatically retweet people, and though the company bans “bulk retweeting,” it does not disclose at what point frequent retweeting … More TheVoiceOfJoyce Misinformation on a grand scale comes from ex President Trump and followers, retweeting at an unprecedented rate. Misinformation abounds on Facebook and Twitter, their algorithms promote retweets and up until a few months ago, on Twitter, politicians were given an unlimited platform for their campaigns and fund raising. Twitter has just banned misinformation on Covid and elections. Facebook has not and allows misinformation to polarize American Society and our Politics. When you look at the volume of tweets and retweets at least 50% are automated. Trump learned how to weaponize Social Media in the run up to the 2016 election. His retweets have been successful thru his grass roots network, beginning with Trump Jr, Lin Wood, Powell and Steve Bannon. The alt right has been planning their messaging for 30 yrs. With the advent of Social Media, AI and the Social Media business model, there is no regulation of malicious content. Most Platforms, excluding Twitter recently and TikTok this week, allow politicians leeway to say whatever they want. Considering the harm to the Public, Social Media Platforms require Congressional Legislation to protect us from lies and misinformation that harms us and our Democracy. Unfortunately, Voices for Democracy and the truth are not equally represented.

AmericaSpeaks TheVoiceOfJoyce In a rare experiment Israeli researchers at Tel Aviv University, work with MIT School of Business & Bocconi Institute in Milan, Italy to determine the effect of Facebook on College Students mental health. The study focused on the first two years of Facebook, (2004-2006), allowing them to have a scientific methodology. Some Universities didn’t have Facebook on their campuses. It was determined that in those Universities where Facebook was allowed, students suffered from anxiety and depression. They compared themselves to peers and had a negative impression of others behavior. Over the past 15yrs, the mental health of adolescents and teens have worsened. Through scientific analysis, it was determined there is a direct correlation between using Facebook and increased anxiety, depression and poor performance. Facebook fosters unfavorable social comparisons between peers. That was there conclusion. Knowing this and knowing that Facebook and other Social Media Platforms favor extremes, behavior, should there be regulation of Social Media content?

September 18, 2022

Mark Zuckerberg and Facebook to blame for depression among students? https://www.jpost.com/health-and-wellness/mind-and-spirit/article-717454?utm_source=jpost.app.apple&utm_medium=share “Lastly, we find that, after the introduction of Facebook, students were more likely to report experiencing impairments to academic performance resulting from poor mental health. Additional evidence on mechanisms suggests that the results are due to Facebook fostering unfavorable social comparisons.” THE STUDY combined … More AmericaSpeaks TheVoiceOfJoyce In a rare experiment Israeli researchers at Tel Aviv University, work with MIT School of Business & Bocconi Institute in Milan, Italy to determine the effect of Facebook on College Students mental health. The study focused on the first two years of Facebook, (2004-2006), allowing them to have a scientific methodology. Some Universities didn’t have Facebook on their campuses. It was determined that in those Universities where Facebook was allowed, students suffered from anxiety and depression. They compared themselves to peers and had a negative impression of others behavior. Over the past 15yrs, the mental health of adolescents and teens have worsened. Through scientific analysis, it was determined there is a direct correlation between using Facebook and increased anxiety, depression and poor performance. Facebook fosters unfavorable social comparisons between peers. That was there conclusion. Knowing this and knowing that Facebook and other Social Media Platforms favor extremes, behavior, should there be regulation of Social Media content?

AmericaSpeaks TheVoiceOfJoyce School teens , ready to vote are exposed to a new on line media literacy program, endorsed by 350,000 teachers nationwide. In tests, the teens repeat falsehoods with out thinking about the news and views they’re sharing. The need for understanding media content is essential. The Social Media Platforms make money off of our clicks. Social Media Platforms want you accept data presented without questioning the source. Now our kids are taking media literacy courses. “Spending up to two weeks each fall, they explore falsehoods, prejudices and opinions, that lurk in information. They learn to trace the origin of documents and validate websites, by leaving it, consulting other sources and training a critical eye on the claims made by TikTok and YouTube influencers. “ The program is called “media and information literacy”. A new way to spot misinformation and disinformation and resist the temptation to spread the lies, leading to cultural polarization.

September 9, 2022

http://www.nytimes.com/2022/09/08/technology/misinformation-students-media-literacy.html The Spread of Misinformation and Falsehoods • Russia’s Falsehoods Linger: Of the Kremlin’s many unfounded claims, those accusing the United States of making secret bioweapons in Ukraine are the most enduring around the world. • A Legal Remedy?: A new bill could make California the first state to punish doctors for spreading false information about … More AmericaSpeaks TheVoiceOfJoyce School teens , ready to vote are exposed to a new on line media literacy program, endorsed by 350,000 teachers nationwide. In tests, the teens repeat falsehoods with out thinking about the news and views they’re sharing. The need for understanding media content is essential. The Social Media Platforms make money off of our clicks. Social Media Platforms want you accept data presented without questioning the source. Now our kids are taking media literacy courses. “Spending up to two weeks each fall, they explore falsehoods, prejudices and opinions, that lurk in information. They learn to trace the origin of documents and validate websites, by leaving it, consulting other sources and training a critical eye on the claims made by TikTok and YouTube influencers. “ The program is called “media and information literacy”. A new way to spot misinformation and disinformation and resist the temptation to spread the lies, leading to cultural polarization.

TheVoiceOfJoyce The new GDPR Rules from the EU, are designed to make Social Media platforms accountable for allowing child exploitation. Teens, using the Instagram platform, are supposed to have privacy settings on their accounts for protection. Instead, their settings went Public along with their emails and telephone #’s. Instagram says they’ve corrected their algorithms and teen settings are now private. Since we don’t have access to all Meta’s tracking data & AI, can we be sure our kids and their behavior across Social Media Platforms is safe? Instagram has been fined $405 million. The FCC is writing regulations to protect children, too. In the US, we need a Regulatory Board, to analyze AI and make data gathering transparent. Why not assure parents that their children’s behavior isn’t tracked and harmful content is removed? When will America, make Meta, Instagram and all Social Media transparent, accountable? Enforcement of accountability, through fines, works better than self regulation! Self regulation, as I learned during my Ford days, when we asked that a product be installed, as required, it was never installed.

September 6, 2022

http://www.theguardian.com/technology/2022/sep/05/instagram-owner-meta-fined-405m-over-handling-of-teens-data Instagram had allowed users aged between 13 and 17 to operate business accounts on the platform, which showed the users’ phone numbers and email addresses. The DPC also found the platform had operated a user registration system whereby the accounts of 13-to-17-year-old users were set to “public” by default. The DPC regulates Meta – … More TheVoiceOfJoyce The new GDPR Rules from the EU, are designed to make Social Media platforms accountable for allowing child exploitation. Teens, using the Instagram platform, are supposed to have privacy settings on their accounts for protection. Instead, their settings went Public along with their emails and telephone #’s. Instagram says they’ve corrected their algorithms and teen settings are now private. Since we don’t have access to all Meta’s tracking data & AI, can we be sure our kids and their behavior across Social Media Platforms is safe? Instagram has been fined $405 million. The FCC is writing regulations to protect children, too. In the US, we need a Regulatory Board, to analyze AI and make data gathering transparent. Why not assure parents that their children’s behavior isn’t tracked and harmful content is removed? When will America, make Meta, Instagram and all Social Media transparent, accountable? Enforcement of accountability, through fines, works better than self regulation! Self regulation, as I learned during my Ford days, when we asked that a product be installed, as required, it was never installed.

TheVoiceOfJoyce At least 10 previous Nobel Laureates for peace, have presented an open letter to the World’s leaders, requesting that they rein in Big Tech. Why? The Social Media platforms, business models, promote disinformation, hate and abuse, undermining Democracies everywhere, creating cultural divides. “We the People” are being manipulated by Big Techs Surveillance Capitalist models. They predict our behavior & sell our data to undermine our Democracy and target investigative journalism & journalists. The Nobel Laureates call upon the EU to strengthen their rules and enforce the compliance of Tech Platforms to remove disinformation algorithms. There is only one fact and Social Media Platforms create two realities, disrupting Democracy through their promotion of cultural divides. Robust laws and an investment in Investigative journalism, would highlight the disruptive business model of Tech Platforms, that divide us!

September 5, 2022

http://www.theguardian.com/media/2022/sep/02/nobel-peace-prize-winners-call-for-action-on-online-disinformation The 10-point manifesto was presented by the 2021 Nobel laureates, campaigning journalists Dmitry Muratov and Maria Ressa, in Oslo on Friday. It warns that the potential for technology to advance societies has been undermined by the business models of the dominant online platforms. TechScape: The unbearable sadness of Mark Zuckerberg “We urge rights-respecting democracies … More TheVoiceOfJoyce At least 10 previous Nobel Laureates for peace, have presented an open letter to the World’s leaders, requesting that they rein in Big Tech. Why? The Social Media platforms, business models, promote disinformation, hate and abuse, undermining Democracies everywhere, creating cultural divides. “We the People” are being manipulated by Big Techs Surveillance Capitalist models. They predict our behavior & sell our data to undermine our Democracy and target investigative journalism & journalists. The Nobel Laureates call upon the EU to strengthen their rules and enforce the compliance of Tech Platforms to remove disinformation algorithms. There is only one fact and Social Media Platforms create two realities, disrupting Democracy through their promotion of cultural divides. Robust laws and an investment in Investigative journalism, would highlight the disruptive business model of Tech Platforms, that divide us!