# Media Control Social media giants respond to amplified criticism of the dangers of their services. By [Mishal Omar](https://www.trendhunter.com/MishalO) | Published Aug 2, 2018 | Category: [Tech](https://www.trendhunter.com/pro/category/technology-trends-and-gadgets) Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/protrends/media-control ## Key Figures - Trend score: 2.5/10 - Evidence articles: 4 ## 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. ## At a Glance - Evidence: 4 featured examples - Articles from: Feb 7, 2017 to Aug 2, 2018 - Published: Aug 2, 2018 - Patterns: [Redirection](https://www.trendhunter.com/pattern/redirection), [Acceleration](https://www.trendhunter.com/pattern/acceleration) - Megatrends: [Experience](https://www.trendhunter.com/megatrend/experience), [Catalyzation](https://www.trendhunter.com/megatrend/catalyzation), [Personalization](https://www.trendhunter.com/megatrend/personalization) ## Audience - Gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Gen Alpha, Gen Z, Millennial, Gen X - Top markets: North America, South America, Europe, Asia, Africa ## Themes within the Media Control trend ### Fake News Filters The trend of fake news filters is important in curbing the spread of harmful false information on social media platforms. ### 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. ### 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. ### 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. ## What the Media Control trend means for industry ### For 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 for Media Control Trend score 2.5 out of 10, from popularity 39%, activity 27%, freshness 8%. - Popularity: 39% - Activity: 27% - Freshness: 8% ## Examples of the Media Control trend 4 featured examples from Feb 7, 2017 to Aug 2, 2018. - [Fake News Filters](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/fake-news): Facebook Has Launched Its Fake News Filter in France (Category: Pop Culture) Implication: The launch of Facebook's fake news filter reveals potential disruptive innovation opportunities in the social media industry to improve trust and credibility. - [Happiness-Focused Social Media Departments](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/wellbeing-team): Instagram is Launching a 'Wellbeing Team' Department (Category: Lifestyle) Implication: Social media platforms that prioritize mental health and wellbeing can disrupt the industry by promoting healthy and positive engagement among users. - [Time-Monitoring App Tools](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/activity-dashboard): Instagram and Facebook's Activity Dashboard Breaks Down Time Consumption (Category: Tech) Implication: 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… - [Mobile Message-Limiting Features](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/forwarded-messages-limit): WhatsApp Now Has a Forwarded Messages Limit (Category: Tech) Implication: 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. ## Recent trend clusters - [Delegated Interfaces](https://www.trendhunter.com/protrends/delegated-interfaces) (Tech) - [Adaptive Controls](https://www.trendhunter.com/protrends/adaptive-controls) (Tech) - [Desk Systems](https://www.trendhunter.com/protrends/desk-systems) (Tech) - [Spatial Refinement](https://www.trendhunter.com/protrends/spatial-refinement) (Tech) ## Trending in Tech - [Decor-Led Home Projectors](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/decor-led-home-projectors) - [Accessible Fintech Pop-Ups](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/chequing-account) - [Dual-Wavelength Recovery Wearables](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/joint-therapy) - [Pop-Culture WiFi Routers](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/pop-culture-wifi-routers) All articles: [Tech](https://www.trendhunter.com/tech)