The Sri Lankan government responded to Sunday’s deadly terrorist attacks in part, by shutting down access to some social media sites, calling the ban a temporary way to stop the spread of unverified and speculative information.
We spoke with Cipher Brief expert Farah Pandith, former chair of a Department of Homeland Security Task Force on countering violent extremism. She is also the author of How We Win: How Cutting-Edge Entrepreneurs, Enlightened Business Leaders and Social Media Mavens Can Defeat the Extremist Threat.
The Cipher Brief: The shutting down of social media in the aftermath of the attacks with authorities claiming it could be used, among other things, to incite further violence. Is this a good idea or bad idea?
Pandith: Social media has proven to both help and hinder. It is vital that all communication channels are used in emergencies, getting important information out there to help people understand what happened, where to go to get help and how to protect themselves. However, obviously, these very same platforms are dangerous. Bad actors will use any tools at their disposal to incite violence, spread images and ignite emotions. We need to look at the Sri Lankan government's decision in context of what was happening and what they could control. WhatsApp and Facebook should also be part of the solution here. The idea to take control of a crisis through social media by bad actors is a not something we are not aware of. We should have a plan in place not just shut down necessarily. What are companies also doing — not just governments — to build a safer place especially in a time of crisis.
The Cipher Brief: What are the potential implications of bans like this in terms of sowing fear or panic among social media users?
Pandith: Social media users should be clear-eyed about these platforms. Companies should be doing a lot more to educate their users about how ideas spread on their platforms and how to recognize predators. Technology hygiene should be integrated into the way we think about social media because bad actors are increasing online. When an attack happens and it is live streamed or if images posted are changed to incite violence and panic, we look to regulators to stop that power. However, citizens also have the power to demand a new standard of engagement and good behavior by the companies that create the platforms.
The Cipher Brief: You have written about the effectiveness of social media as a platform to recruit potential extremists. How important is it for governments to have an effective messaging strategy when it comes to combatting extremism?
Pandith: I have been working on the ideological war since 2003. This is not about a messaging strategy by governments. We can never win and that is a framework that is from the Cold War era. Today, we need to be attuned to demographic needs and shifts — what tools do we use for Gen Z versus Millennials, for example. How are we understanding culture, and have we partnered with the right kinds of social listening experts, behavioral scientists, enthographers, anthropologists etc. to create awareness about the nuances within cultures to assist us as we design the kinds of programs needed to disrupt the pull of the extremists' ideas. This requires non-government to take the lead on the ground. Many, many different kinds of ideas, narratives and emotional touchpoints have to be created by entities that are authentic to the demographic groups we are trying to reach. Something that appeals to a 16-year-old girl in Pittsburgh is not the same as a 16 girl in Providence. The bad guys know how to draw their prey in by delivering specific, curated and highly effective ideas, stories, analysis and recruiters. Why don't we have the same insights and dedication as the bad guys? Government messaging will never be able to do what needs to be done. Why do we keep thinking they are the answer? We have failed for nearly 20 years since 9/11. Time for a new model.
The Cipher Brief: What should the share of the burden be on private sector companies that run social media websites in combatting this kind of messaging?
Pandith: Private companies have to get real. Their statements about why they can't do things no longer hold water. They must take responsibility alongside government in stopping this avalanche of hate. We think things are serious and scary now — the bad guys are getting better, faster, smarter online. Companies need to work at scale and with the right intent — not on defense but on offense. They keep looking at this as a crisis response. They need to look at this as a new opportunity to be active in societies as strong, positive actors. They can still make gobs of money — but they will have also increased their appeal by the very demographic of young people especially that expect more from companies than just their bottom line. We need the ethos and drive of a Paul Polson of Unilever, for example, in the work that must be done in building a better social media landscape.
Read more from Farah Pandith in The Cipher Brief
