My vision for an inclusive internet is two-fold. First, it will drive more equal access to the discovery of information. Second, it will celebrate every human’s uniqueness.
A more equal society benefits everyone, not just those who have been systematically oppressed. The same can be said for our digital society which is now so intricately linked to “real” world events. When I think of an inclusive internet, I see digital products taking proactive (and not reactive) measures to look after the people on their platform. I see algorithmic bias as a top priority, and not a factor that further drives inequity. In the inclusive internet, I see a place with more ownership of our experiences and control over what we’re influenced by. It’s a place where moderation tools do not further victimize people.
You’ve likely heard the buzz around the metaverse lately. The metaverse presents an interesting lens for us to consider what an inclusive internet could look like because it’s still in the beginning stages. If the last 15 years have proved anything, it’s that we can no longer afford to be naive when it comes to building new spaces for humans to connect.
For those interested in the hype around the “metaverse,” but aren’t sure where to start – don’t worry. Even though the term took to the masses when Facebook rebranded itself as Meta, it was a term first coined by Neal Stephenson in his 1992 sci-fi novel, Snow Crash. The novel depicted the metaverse as a 3D virtual world where people walk around as avatars and interact with each other, and computer-generated characters. This depiction has framed what a lot of technologists, venture capitalists, and entrepreneurs are thinking when they picture “the metaverse.” If you’re thinking, “How did I miss all of this?” — fear not because metaverse doesn’t actually exist yet (only fragments of it do).
It also won’t be some sci-fi futuristic land that results in none of us interacting IRL. My vision for it is purely additive versus an alternate reality to our daily lives. The reason I’m mentioning any of this is that the metaverse is an evolution of our understanding of the potential capabilities of the internet. As with any evolution, this provides an opportunity for reflection.
So, if the dawn of a new type of internet is upon us, how can you play a part in making it inclusive?
1. Advocate for better moderation tools.
Consent should be built into all features across any platform. This should not be an afterthought or a list of terms and conditions that no one reads. Digital privacy commonly affects women, similar to how physical privacy affects women in our real world, and the tools needed to prevent harassment and enable consent do not currently exist in a meaningful way online. While there will always be bad actors, existing platform moderation tools have often been reactive. As it stands, the status quo for report/block tools looks a lot like someone telling me to “walk in well-lit areas” and “don’t wear short skirts.” These tools are inherently biased (They’re mostly made by men.), and not protective enough. They further place the burden on the victim to protect themselves, and they rarely hold the harasser accountable.
There's a huge opportunity for technology to do better here. As we build these new platforms in the metaverse (three-dimensional or otherwise), it is important to consistently advocate and demand better moderation tools. If you want to get more involved, check out the Center for Humane Technology.
2. Find your people.
Social platforms have become too big and too broad. While platforms like Facebook and Instagram became known as social gathering spaces, they are now marketplaces for small businesses to launch and advertise products to millions. Platforms shouldn’t make you work to find the things you want to read in favor of their own monetization strategies. Be more intentional with how you spend your time, find platforms for all the different interest areas you have, and hang out with people in those places.
3. Be wary of sensationalist content.
Algorithms favor “hot takes.” The content you see on your Twitter feed is typically sensationalist content that drives more views, and when there are more views, Twitter gets more ad dollars. Are you caught in the hype? Do you find yourself negatively impacted by the content you’re viewing? Does the content you’re reading seem wildly speculative? Stop yourself!
Platforms that contribute to an inclusive internet will better align their financial models with their user base instead of monetizing off said users. For example, it is possible that platforms in “the metaverse” can create business models via tokens that provide monetary incentives for sharing higher-quality content. This will hopefully create more aligned financial models that benefit both the platform and humans on the platform.
4. Embrace your uniqueness.
Algorithms are as biased as the people who build them. The inclusive internet has the opportunity to not celebrate everyone looking exactly the same. Due to many platforms’ focus on photo-sharing, algorithms have forced us to present ourselves in a very unnatural way that doesn’t celebrate our individuality at all. To share “successful” content on the platform requires you to bow to the algorithm being pushed to people who already elected to follow you. Look to engage with platforms that go below the surface level, platforms that focus on everything apart from your appearance – like your unique knowledge, stories, or experiences.
5. Share your shadow.
Life online is a partial representation of the people we actually are. As a result, we ignore the darker sides of life in favor of “social peacocking.” Play a part in defining the inclusive internet by questioning the content you’re sharing, and practice being more authentic with what you share. Our move towards the metaverse could enable this more successfully, especially with the emergence of digital identities.
Remember: Being yourself is one of the most powerful things you can do online. Don’t ignore the less sunny side of life; it's what makes you human.
About the Expert: Emma Bates is the Co-Founder and CEO of Diem, a social networking platform created for women. The social media alternative is a search engine powered by an incentivized community of female & non-binary knowledge-sharers.