Mandating Data Interoperability as a Tool for Improving Youth Wellbeing on Social Media

Abstract

Many social media platforms are filled with problematic designs that range from annoying (e.g., excessive notifications) to devastating (e.g., bulk-add features that have connected children to pedophiles). Users express frustration with these designs and yet continue to use these platforms. Why? If an email client sent constant clickbait notifications and intermixed sponsored content with true emails, many users would not tolerate it; they would switch to a different email platform and continue emailing the same contacts. This flexibility is only possible because email obeys a standardized protocol allowing for data interoperability across platforms. If all social platforms were required to make user-posted content consumable by third parties, new and existing social media companies alike would be forced to compete for their users and could only succeed by offering users experiences they value. Users would no longer be held captive by the platforms they join and could continue connecting with the same network of people from any platform they choose. Mandated interoperability on social media platforms is not a new concept and is already under consideration in state legislatures across the United States. The purpose of this commentary is to distill its relevance to youth wellbeing online.