One of the darker realities of the social media sphere is that determined extremists can use it as a breeding ground for new recruits, but AverageMohamed, an online outreach organization "making the case against Extremism and for Democracy," is fighting against the outright lies that get spread through social media, and the results are promising.
According to an extensive, year-long, cross-platform study of methods for combating propaganda on social media, the "counter-narratives" published by organizations like AverageMohamed could be effective in creating more informed discussion and teaching people about the harms of radicalization. However, the study, published by the Institute for Strategic Dialogue, recognizes that the most effective web content shares certain qualities.
The Institute has gathered its findings and made them available online in a digestible format, allowing prosumers and activists to make an effort to dispel extremism on social media.
Anti-Extremist Web Content
AverageMohamed's Social Media 'Counter-Narratives' Can Fight Hate
Trend Themes
1. Counter-narratives - Creating counter-narratives to combat extremist propaganda on social media presents disruptive innovation opportunities in the realm of online outreach and content creation.
2. Radicalization Awareness - Raising awareness about the harms of radicalization through web content opens up disruptive innovation opportunities in the field of social media education and information dissemination.
3. Prosumer Activism - Promoting prosumer activism and empowering individuals to take action against extremism on social media offers disruptive innovation opportunities for platforms that facilitate user-generated content and collaboration.
Industry Implications
1. Online Outreach - The online outreach industry can explore disruptive innovation opportunities by developing new strategies and platforms for creating and disseminating counter-narratives against extremist propaganda.
2. Social Media Education - The social media education industry can leverage disruptive innovation opportunities by creating informative and engaging web content that raises awareness about the harms of radicalization.
3. User-generated Content Platforms - Platforms that facilitate user-generated content and collaboration have disruptive innovation opportunities in empowering individuals to actively combat extremism through prosumer activism.