Social media has become an integral part of our lives, providing us with information and connecting us with friends and family. However, it has also become a breeding ground for misinformation, hatred, and conflict. While efforts to regulate social media have been made, they have not been entirely successful, and social media companies prioritize engagement over social benefit.
For users, the challenge is how to navigate social media without coming across distressing, damaging, or illegal content. This becomes particularly relevant during times of global tension and conflict, such as the current situations in Ukraine and Gaza, where graphic and disturbing images are more likely to appear on feeds.
In this article, based on extensive research on news consumption through social media, we provide a comprehensive guide on curating and editing your social media feeds to ensure that the content you see aligns with your needs and values, and is not offensive or disturbing.
The guide is organized into various social media categories, with a focus on mobile apps since that is how the majority of users access these platforms. While we primarily concentrate on video content, the principles discussed can be applied to other forms of content as well.
While social media provides a wealth of information and learning opportunities, it does have its flaws. Regardless of the approach you take to manage your feeds, it is important to remain cautious and skeptical. Stay updated on policies and user agreements, and carefully consider who you trust and follow.
The Power of Choice
Many social networks offer algorithmically selected feeds as the default view. These algorithms are constantly refined and determine the content shown based on your location, topics of interest, and previous interactions. They may also factor in demographic information, such as age and gender, if you have provided it.
It is essential to recognize that organizations and individuals invest significant resources into ensuring their content reaches their target audience. Advertisers, for example, pay to have their content shown to customers who meet specific criteria. However, it is crucial to remember that paid content is not limited to products and services—they can also promote political or social agendas, often disguising their true intentions. This is the foundation of fake news and deliberate misinformation.
Managing Your Social Media Feeds
Carefully choosing who you follow is key to managing your social media feeds on most platforms, except for TikTok. On Twitter, consider moving away from the default “For You” page and focus on the “Following” page, which displays content from accounts you follow, including their tweets and retweets. If you come across content you do not want to see, you have the options to unfollow, block, or mute those accounts.
On Facebook, a simple way to clean up your news feed is to “unfriend” accounts. Alternatively, you can choose to “unfollow” someone, which allows them to see and engage with your content, but their posts will not appear in your feed unless they mention you or you deliberately seek them out. Another option is to “take a break” from someone, temporarily blocking their content. Blocking is the most extreme option, removing them and their content from your view, as well as hiding your content from them. Instagram offers similar options to unfollow and mute accounts.
TikTok has limited options for curating feeds. The “Following” page shows content from creators you follow, while the “For You” page is algorithm-driven and cannot be set as the default view. Although you cannot hide or block specific creators, you can block individual users.
Exploring Settings
Many platforms offer options to limit the visibility of violent or graphic content. For example, on Facebook, you can access this feature through the Settings menu by clicking on News Feed and then Reduce. It is important to note that you cannot remove this content entirely, but you can prioritize other content over it in your feed.
On TikTok, long-pressing the screen brings up the options panel. From there, you can report a video or select the “not interested” option to remove that video and similar ones with related hashtags from your feed. By clicking on “details” to see which hashtags will be filtered, you can manually block specific hashtags. However, the effectiveness of this feature may vary as hashtags change over time, and certain hashtags might not be filterable.
Under the “settings” menu, TikTok’s “content preferences” option allows you to filter video keywords, removing them from both your “For You” and “Following” pages.
User Awareness
It is important to acknowledge that social media platforms are not designed for user control. These companies thrive on user engagement, and the more time spent on their apps, the more revenue they generate. Their primary focus is not necessarily on ensuring helpful or accurate content.
By following the tips provided in this guide, you can regain control over your social media experience and create a space that aligns with your preferences and values. Stay informed about the ever-changing landscape of social media policies and practices, and remember to critically evaluate the sources of information you encounter online.
Megan Knight, Associate Dean, University of Hertfordshire
