As historians of the digital age, we must have a heightened awareness of digital culture's effects on our writing and mental health.
Some in the world of higher academics have thought of solutions to deal with this battery-draining struggle. Computer Science professor Cal Newport offers a solution in the title of his book Digital Minimalism. He speaks to the art of balancing technology and how we incorporate it into our daily lives. Two features of digital culture that negatively impact our society are digital polarization and digital misinformation.
Digital Polarization is one of the central effects of digital culture despite the digital face of being able to “bring more people together.” People tend to form echo chambers and filter bubbles online, primarily exposing them to information and viewpoints that align with their beliefs instead of various beliefs, like we are privileged to learn about at university.
This can lead to increased political polarization, social division, and a lack of understanding between different groups. Promoting digital media literacy and critical thinking skills among all ages is crucial to addressing the root of this issue. Educational institutions and online platforms should prioritize teaching individuals how to evaluate information sources, recognize bias, and seek out diverse perspectives. Algorithms on social media platforms can also be adjusted to expose users to a broader range of content, thereby reducing the reinforcement of existing beliefs.
Online misinformation surrounds the spread of false or misleading information that is often found online. Misinformation is a significant problem within digital culture due to the vast amount of digital creators pushing out information.
Fake news, conspiracy theories, and misinformation campaigns can undermine trust in past, present, and future knowledge. We see this a lot in the realm of public history. Institutions, politicians, and online content have the ability to manipulate public opinion and affect education systems, and we are starting to see their real-world consequences. I offer a solution to this digitally mangled informational mess. A multi-faceted approach is necessary to combat online disinformation. This includes promoting fact-checking organizations and tools that help users verify the accuracy of information. Social media platforms should invest in algorithms and moderators of a non-biased background to detect and flag false content. Many people jump the gun and say remove everything that is false, but the problem lies in what is true and what is accepted as truth. Additionally, media literacy programs can educate the public on discerning reliable sources from unreliable ones, empowering individuals to make informed decisions about the information they encounter online.
In conclusion, addressing digital polarization and online disinformation are two central challenges in digital culture that have negative impacts on human societies. By implementing digital minimalism and focusing on education, algorithm adjustments, and fact-checking measures, society can work towards mitigating these issues and fostering a more informed and less polarized online environment and instead promote a space of creativity and conversation.
Citation: McKay, Jory. “Digital Minimalism 101: How to Become a Digital Minimalist.” RescueTime Blog. Rescue Time Blog, December 15, 2020. https://blog.rescuetime.com/digital-minimalism/.