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Black Lives Matter Protest
Social media platforms like Twitter, Instagram, and TikTok amplified the movement, spreading awareness through viral hashtags, live-streaming protests, and crowdfunding bail funds. The movement led to policy discussions on police reform, corporate accountability, and systemic racism. -
COVID-19 Misinformation Spread
Social media platforms like Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube played a major role in both spreading and combating misinformation about COVID-19. Conspiracy theories about the virus’s origin, vaccine safety, and fake cures went viral, leading to public health challenges. Fact-checking initiatives were launched, but misinformation persisted, influencing vaccine hesitancy and government policies. -
Russia-Ukraine War
Platforms like Telegram, Twitter, and TikTok became key tools in spreading real-time updates, war footage, and propaganda. Social media helped Ukraine secure global support but also became a battleground for misinformation and deepfake content. -
Twitter Under Elon Musk
After Elon Musk took over Twitter, mass layoffs, policy changes, and the introduction of a paid verification system caused widespread backlash. Many users and advertisers left the platform, and alternative social media sites like Mastodon and Bluesky saw a surge in users. The disruption raised concerns about free speech, misinformation, and the future of digital public spaces. -
AI-Generated Misinformation Scandals
The rapid rise of AI-generated content led to major disruptions in politics and media. Deepfake videos and AI-written news articles spread misinformation, affecting elections and public perception of events. Social media companies have struggled to regulate AI-driven content, raising ethical concerns about the future of digital communication.