Mastodawn

I would say qualified yes. I think it's a good idea to recognize the problems with social media for mental health.

And while I think we do a lot right, I don't think the Fediverse puts happiness and mental health at the centre of our decisions. I'm not sure how we do compared to siloed social networks. I think we have work to do.

Thanks to everyone who answered.

Tim Chambers Jun 23, 2024

@evan And if there is any platform that should center #HumaneTech and #Calmtech versus the more toxic and intense and addictive choices commercial siloes do to drive ad clicks, etc, it should be us. In theory, the non-commercial elements of the Fediverse should have no other incentive but a healthier online space.

https://calmtech.com/book

Calm Technology

Calm technology is maintained by Amber Case

Evan Prodromou Jun 23, 2024

@tchambers I refer to this book all the time without reading it. I'm putting it on my list.

infinite love ⴳ Jun 21, 2024

@evan no, but there should be a nutrition label

Evan Prodromou Jun 23, 2024

@trwnh what did you mean by this?

infinite love ⴳ Jun 23, 2024

@evan like https://www.fcc.gov/broadbandlabels

Broadband Consumer Labels

Most broadband providers must display easy-to-understand labels to allow consumers to comparison shop for broadband services beginning April 10, 2024. FCC rules require broadband providers to display, at the point of sale, labels that show prices, including introductory rates, as well as speeds, data allowances, network management practices, and other critical broadband service information.

Evan Prodromou Jun 23, 2024

@trwnh nice!

shibaozi Jun 30, 2024

@trwnh @evan this would be awesome

ipsquiggle Jun 22, 2024

@evan
I think social media, even non corporate styles, have negative qualities. I think it's diligent and kind to help uninformed people become aware of those qualities. The question becomes, what's a good time and place to let them know, that might actually result in altered behaviour?

Stefan Monnier Jun 22, 2024

@evan Obviously! Just like anything else that's more fun than doing your homework!
#SmokeTwoJoints

@evan a.. what?

@chris a health warning label. Like for cigarettes.

@evan For the Fediverse? What label would fit all?

Sidenote: If you need a sticker that tells you cigarettes are bad, you are special.

@chris maybe you should read the news, and then come back to this poll.

@evan Just did. This falls in the same drawer as #chatcontrol. Someone who never used the Net coughed that up.

People who abuse such things will not be stopped by a label.

@chris so, how did you answer the poll?

@evan Of course! ;)

Olives Jun 22, 2024

@chris @evan https://ideas.time.com/2013/08/28/soda-and-the-scientific-pile-on-effect/ It reminds me of what Dr. Ferguson said here where if someone goes too crazy with warnings, then people might start ignoring warnings about things which actually matter.

Soda and the Scientific Pile-On Effect | TIME.com

We should be skeptical that any one phenomenon causes everything bad

TIME.com

@olives @evan Precisely. We never for weather warnings up to the point when there was a flood caused by persistent rain. Now we get warnings for every rain. No one is paying attention anymore.

But legally they are safe now.

halcy

Jun 22, 2024

@evan I think reading the news about things like this and the now third? fourth? proposal to establish mass online surveillance within my lifetime or whatever other idea some government dipshit had and having to contend with the fact that these are the type of people who we keep democratically electing to lead us has done more damage to my mental health than any social media, commercial or otherwise, could ever hope to

Mark Darbyshire Jun 22, 2024

@evan Hmm, I'm gonna go qualified yes, why not lead by example, but really I would like to see this on the algorithm-driven Big Social networks. It had never occurred to me though until this poll brought current media coverage to my attention.

Stephen Michael Kellat Jun 22, 2024

@evan I’ve seen what Vice Admiral Murthy is proposing and think he has jurisdictional problems. Strong no. If there is a risk to children then frankly a warning label doesn’t take the place of proper parenting.

Colin Dean Jun 23, 2024

@evan "Warning: this app may enable you to engage with the general public, its best to its worst. Moderation is considered best-effort. No one is responsible for the actions you take based on information obtained therein except yourself. For further advice, contact your lawyer, tax preparer, doctor, therapist, clergy, and veterinarian."

I was a strong no. Warning labels should only describe provable truth.

william.maggos Jun 23, 2024

@evan

I don't see how it's worse than the rest of the internet if there's no algos/ads involved. the ability for outside entities to manipulate our emotions for profit is probably lower.

hybrid havoc Jun 23, 2024

@evan I'm not convinced there's a causal relationship between social media use and any specific mental health concerns. To voluntarily claim otherwise through some sort of warning label feels performative to me.

Christian Jun 23, 2024

@evan Yay. Sanity!

somehybrid Jun 24, 2024

@evan i feel like this would just scare users away to the more harmful non-federated centralized services