myAIPMThe Future of Digital Spaces and Their Role in Democracy
Pew Research Centre | Anderson, J. and Raine, L.
Many experts say public online spaces will significantly improve by 2035 if reformers, big technology firms, governments and activists tackle the problems created by misinformation, disinformation and toxic discourse. Others expect continuing troubles as digital tools and forums are used to exploit people’s frailties, stoke their rage and drive them apart. The things that happen in online public spaces are harming deliberation and the fabric of society. Worries over the rise in the acrid tone and harmful and manipulative interactions in some online spaces, and concerns over the role of technology firms in all of this, have spawned efforts by tech activists to try to redesign online spaces in ways that facilitate debate, enhance civility and provide personal security.
Looking ahead to 2035, will digital spaces and people’s use of them be changed in ways that significantly serve the public good?
Some 61% chose the option declaring that, “yes,” by 2035, digital spaces and people’s uses of them will change in ways that significantly serve the public good; 39% chose the “no” option, positing that by 2035, digital spaces and people’s uses of them will not change in ways that significantly serve the public good.
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Anderson, J. and Raine, L. (2021) The Future of Digital Spaces and their Role in Democracy. Pew Research Centre. https://www.pewresearch.org/internet/2021/11/22/the-future-of-digital-spaces-and-their-role-in-democracy/