The World Economic Forum (WEF) called for governments to censor “negativity” in online spaces.
Individuals may feel negative emotions due to “economic challenges,” “social and technological pressures,” and “uncertainty and anxiety,” according to an article.
“We live in a world where teenagers grapple with a sense of crisis before adulthood; a time when young people, historically beacons of optimism, report lower happiness than their elders,” the WEF wrote.
“[Y]oung people worldwide now report lower happiness levels than their elders. Since 2006, levels of reported youth happiness have declined in North America, South America, Europe, South Asia, the Middle East and North Africa,” the article explains.
According to the organization, removing “negative” content on social media will help young people’s “happiness.”
In order to “foster happiness worldwide,” the WEF recommends “social media reform.”
“Social media companies and governments have a global responsibility to prioritize user well-being,” the article says. “Implementing stricter content regulations and policies that limit the spread of negativity and misinformation is crucial.”
“International cooperation can ensure these reforms are implemented effectively across borders, creating a safer and more positive online environment for young people globally.”
The WEF also called for governments, media groups, and tech companies to make a “concerted effort” against “disinformation,” American Faith reported.
“Governments, media organizations, tech companies and civil society must collaborate to create a multi-layered defence against the spread of false information,” according to the WEF. “Empowering Internet users with media information literacy, ensuring the independence and viability of news organizations, and leveraging technology to distinguish between credible journalism and disinformation are vital to countering the spread of false information.”
The organization blamed the alleged proliferation of disinformation on a “fragmented media ecosystem,” leading to an “erosion of trust across societies.”
According to the WEF, rebuilding “trust” in the “age of disinformation” requires a “focus on fostering media literacy, reinforcing the independence and sustainability of quality news organizations, and [embracing] an openness to innovation and the responsible adoption of AI, among other measures.”
