Social media is taking over the world. While this seems over exaggerated it is not. Where do people go or what do people do to check up on people they are acquainted with? They check Instagram or Facebook. Where do people go when curious to find out about a “scandal” or response to a “scandal”? Typically, straight to Instagram or the hottest new pop culture newspaper website. Anything and everything can be found on these domains and apps; it is honestly scary.
The media cannot be contained and the owners of these companies seem to not want to do anything about it. Basically, if you own a cell phone, you will eventually run into something you do not necessarily want to see. The overarching problem reveals itself with content restriction– there is none– this problem is cemented with the way in which the algorithm works. A widely-known instance of this phenomenon is the circulation of spoilers related to Taylor Swift’s ‘The Era’s Tour’. To simply summarize any algorithm on any platform: Viewer likes video A, content like video A continues to be shown. Video B receives a thumbs down or the user blocks the content, content like video B will not be shown again. The relevance of the Era’s Tour lies with the fans of Swift and the algorithm. For example, I like and comment on a clip from one of Swift’s previous tours. The algorithm thinks I want more and shows me newer, more relevant clips (like the singer’s current tour). Due to the large number of people going and the ongoing consistency of social media, fans attending the tour give viewers at home a free performance– spoilers are unavailable. Massive numbers of users on social media platforms have live streamed the Era’s Tour via instagram live or simple recordings. If someone wanted to avoid spoilers for her concert they might as well go off backpacking until their concert date.
It is important to note that the issue at hand is not solely attributable to wild fans and social media crazed individuals seeking out excessive exposure, or news outlets reporting on the latest celebrity scandal. Where the internet is home to both lighthearted and triggering content, users should have the option to limit what they see on their personal devices. Is it difficult to contain that much media, perhaps this is ultimately a positive indication that United States users still have the freedom to access a diverse range of media content according to their own preferences and personalized searches.