A Lot Of Abuse Happens, Is This The Right Time To Uninstall Facebook And Instagram?

The social media platforms Facebook and Instagram are said to have been abused a lot. (photo: unsplash)

JAKARTA - There has been a lot of coverage of Facebook's internal research in recent weeks, which has led many to ask is it time to delete Facebook? In mid-September, The Wall Street Journal published several stories based on leaked documents compiled by several Facebook researchers.

The article explores the company's many previously undisclosed studies, including research on issues like Instagram's impact on teens' mental health and how some high-profile accounts aren't subject to the same rules as regular users.

Facebook insists its findings have been misrepresented, while the US Senate is actively discussing whether the social media platform needs better regulation.

Although not identified in the original report, former Facebook product manager Frances Haugen has emerged as the source of the document. Haugen discussed Facebook's research both in an interview with CBS '60 Minutes and in testimony to a Senate subcommittee, explaining his skepticism about the company's reliance on the algorithm and its subsequent effect on users.

Haugen, who has claimed whistleblower status, said his motivation was to fix Facebook rather than damage it. But for those who use Facebook or its family of apps, knowing that the company may not yet be aware of the negative impact of its products has left many wondering if it's time to leave the social network.

Haugen has made clear his concerns about how Facebook ranks content based on engagement, pointing out the company's reliance on artificial intelligence is causing real-world harm. One of the main criticisms of Facebook relates to a leaked study that found nearly a third of teenage girls said Instagram had made them feel worse about their bodies.

Facebook has clarified research into a sample of groups who identified themselves as having pre-existing negative feelings about themselves, and suggested the test base was relatively small. During a Senate hearing in late September, Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn) revealed his office set up a fake Instagram account, impersonating a 13-year-old girl. Blumenthal said after following accounts related to diets and eating disorders, Instagram was quick to recommend more such content.

Other issues raised include Facebook's 2018 decision to change the way News Feed items rank. The company says its News Feed algorithm will place more emphasis on meaningful social interactions and will recommend posts with a higher number of reactions and comments.

However, as Haugen suggests, the algorithm favors more charged content, which leads to more division on the platform. At first, Facebook founder and CEO Mark Zuckerberg did not publicly comment on the issues raised. However, following the most recent Senate hearing on October 5, Zuckerberg pushed back via his Facebook page, claiming the company did not "prioritize profits over safety and well-being."

Lawmakers say they plan to take action to rein in Facebook, but what those regulations will look like remains to be seen. Facebook itself has been actively asking Congress to institute new laws, including changes to Section 230 of the Communications Propriety Act. But for those who use Facebook, Instagram, Messenger, or WhatsApp, there may be concerns that the dangers of the platforms are real and need to be addressed now.

But quitting Facebook can also mean missing out on the positives; connect with friends, keep in touch with family, engage in hobbies, and more. No one can say when the regulations will come (if they are), but anyone with a Facebook or Instagram account can decide for themselves whether the negatives outweigh the positives and then take action.