Ofcom found a clear link between the violence in England and Northern Ireland and social media posts. They said that after a stabbing in Southport, illegal content spread quickly online, leading to unrest. Most online services acted fast, but some were not consistent. Posts from popular accounts reached millions of users, showing how divisive messages can spread during a crisis. Experts say social media platforms have a big responsibility.
Ofcom faced criticism for not stopping false and upsetting content during the unrest. They asked tech companies to take action, but new rules giving Ofcom more power were not in place yet. The Online Safety Act will make big tech firms responsible for fighting misinformation. Ofcom expects companies to protect users from illegal content, take it down quickly, and have ways for users to report harmful content.
The unrest in August 2024 was the worst in the UK in 10 years. Many people were arrested and some faced charges for online crimes. Tech companies were closely watched, but many stayed quiet. Elon Musk, a tech leader, caused controversy by suggesting civil war was coming. Political leaders say social media companies need to do more to stop harmful content.
Vocabulary List:
- Misinformation /ˌmɪs.ɪn.fɔːˈmeɪ.ʃən/ (noun): False or misleading information especially that which is spread deliberately.
- Unrest /ʌnˈrɛst/ (noun): A state of dissatisfaction or agitation leading to disorder.
- Responsibility /rɪˌspɒn.sɪˈbɪl.ɪ.ti/ (noun): The state or fact of having a duty to deal with something or being accountable for something.
- Divisive /dɪˈvaɪsɪv/ (adjective): Tending to cause disagreement or hostility between people.
- Controversy /ˈkɒn.trə.vɜː.si/ (noun): A prolonged public disagreement or heated discussion.
- Legislation /ˌlɛdʒ.ɪsˈleɪ.ʃən/ (noun): Laws considered collectively.
How much do you know?
What did Ofcom find a clear link between?
What spread quickly online after a stabbing in Southport?
What responsibility do experts say social media platforms have?
When did the unrest in August 2024 occur?
Who suggested civil war was coming and caused controversy?
What legislation is expected to make big tech firms responsible for fighting misinformation?
Ofcom was consistent in stopping false and upsetting content during the unrest.
The Online Safety Act has already given Ofcom more power.
Many tech companies were vocal during the unrest.
Political leaders believe social media companies are doing enough to stop harmful content.
Ofcom expects companies to take down illegal content quickly.
Experts say divisive messages cannot spread during a crisis.
Ofcom faced criticism for not stopping false and upsetting content during the .
The Online Safety Act will make big tech firms responsible for fighting .
Many people were arrested and some faced charges for online .
Elon Musk caused controversy by suggesting was coming.
The unrest in August 2024 was the worst in the UK in .
Experts say social media platforms have a responsibility.