One senator said Facebook had problems with privacy and propaganda.He missed a third issue – polarization. Internet apps are designed to affirm people’s biases.By targeting Facebook users with news feeds and advertisements tailored to their prior search terms, likes, sites visited, and friends, Facebook provides news feeds that support people’s current beliefs. My own use of Google to search for health information is similarly tainted. Social media also has contaminated the ability of government to solicit public comments on legislative proposals.Similar issues make product reviews unreliable.
Overall, it is clear that the public’s ability to use the Internet to improve their health has been markedly compromised over the past 3 years. Professionalism is important. Three years ago I asked who you were going to believe – me or billionaire Elizabeth Holmes, CEO of Theranos? Since then, one of us has not signed an agreement with the Securities and Exchange Commission involving massive fraud.
Dr. Powell is a pediatric hospitalist and clinical ethics consultant living in St. Louis. He said he had no relevant financial disclosures. Email him at pdnews@mdedge.com.