Category
Tech
Delegated Interfaces
Trend cluster
Category
Media
Control
Social media giants respond to amplified criticism of the dangers of their services.
2.5
Trend score
Trend
What is the Media Control trend?
Media Control: Social media giants have come under scrutiny for some years now as they increasingly become vessels for the spread of false information, the incitement of violence, for tech addiction and for negatively impacting mental health. Such scrutiny has resulted in small changes in the way these companies operate, some of which can go so far as to affect their bottom line by reducing the amount of time spent on their own services, or by inciting consumer backlash. Such initiatives aim to reduce the negativity that social media giants have done little to address in the past, as more consumers demand change.
Trend themes
Themes within the Media Control trend
4 behaviours holding the trend together01
Fake News Filters
The trend of fake news filters is important in curbing the spread of harmful false information on social media platforms.
02
Happiness-Focused Social Media Departments
Building wellbeing teams to help negate the negative mental health consequences associated with social media platforms provides a positive disruption for personal and professional responsibility.
03
Mobile Message-Limiting Features
Implementing message limits on social media platforms, such as WhatsApp, is crucial in stopping the spread of harmful information and related violence due to mass hysteria.
04
Time-Monitoring App Tools
Helping manage screen time through time-monitoring app tools, such as the Activity Dashboard feature on Facebook and Instagram, provides an effective way to help combat screen addiction and related anxiety and depression.
Industry implications
What the Media Control trend means for industry
Where the trend changes the playbookFor
Social Media
The social media industry needs to continuously innovate their platforms to prioritize user wellbeing, mental health and accountability.
For
Media
Media outlets need to fact-check news stories and accurately report them, while ensuring digital images are not altered, in order to promote ethical journalism and minimize the spread of fake news.
For
Technology
The technology industry has a responsibility to implement features and tools to manage and limit phone and screen time, and to safeguard its users from negative psychological consequences associated with social media use.
Workshop question
How could your brand reduce some of its negative social, environmental, or political impacts?
Trend signals
Trend signals for Media Control
Trend score 2.5 out of 10, from popularity 39%, activity 27%, freshness 8%.
Popularity39%
Activity27%
Freshness8%
Audience
50%Men
50%Women
- Gen Alpha
- Gen Z
- Millennial
- Gen X
- Boomer
Market
North America
Europe
Asia-Pacific
South America
Africa
Evidence
Examples of the Media Control trend
4 featured examples from Feb 7, 2017 to Aug 2, 2018CategoryPop Culture
Fake News Filters
Facebook Has Launched Its Fake News Filter in France
The launch of Facebook's fake news filter reveals potential disruptive innovation opportunities in the social media industry to improve trust and credibility.
CategoryLifestyle
Happiness-Focused Social Media Departments
Instagram is Launching a 'Wellbeing Team' Department
Social media platforms that prioritize mental health and wellbeing can disrupt the industry by promoting healthy and positive engagement among users.
CategoryTech
Time-Monitoring App Tools
Instagram and Facebook's Activity Dashboard Breaks Down Time Consumption
The trend towards time-monitoring app tools is particularly relevant to the social media industry, where companies can leverage user concerns over well-being to create innovative…
CategoryTech
Mobile Message-Limiting Features
WhatsApp Now Has a Forwarded Messages Limit
Opportunity for social media giants to innovate and create new features and tools that can prevent the spread of fake news and violent events on their platforms.
