For years, people have compared the internet to a “town square,” where free expression reigns. However, this metaphor falls short when it comes to explaining the current issues we face in the digital age. Instead, a better comparison can be made to citywide sanitation systems. Just as water flows through pipes and pumps, online content is posted and consumed through digital platforms. And just as risk of infection arises from unintended feedback loops, there are risks and consequences associated with the spread of online information.
This understanding of the internet draws upon the history of clean water advocacy in Victorian England. In the face of life-threatening diseases, early advocates recognized the need to address the social and economic causes of epidemics, rather than simply quarantining affected individuals. These advocates, known as miasmists, believed that noxious air was the main culprit behind outbreaks. However, their theory was proven wrong by the groundbreaking work of doctor John Snow, who discovered that contaminated water was the true cause of the cholera epidemic in London. This revelation led to the implementation of modern sewer systems and a shift towards a broader approach to public health.
Drawing parallels to the present, we find ourselves in an online version of the Great Stink, with social media causing harm on a large scale. However, measuring the impact of these effects is challenging, much like Snow’s struggle to prove the role of water in disease transmission. To address this, we need to build assessment tools that connect design features of platforms with population outcomes, such as mental health effects. Content moderation alone is not enough; we need to evaluate the underlying platform architectures to protect vulnerable groups and address systemic issues.
Just as sanitation infrastructure led to a better understanding of diseases and the establishment of germ theory, we are at a similar moment in technology. While we have ideas about how harm may be mediated by products like social media, establishing baseline effects is essential for mitigating these harms. This requires a shift in focus from blaming individuals to embracing the principles of public health. It is not about more content moderators or smarter chatbots, but about creating the necessary infrastructure to keep users safe.
In conclusion, we must move away from ineffective metaphors and adopt a public-health approach to address the challenges of the internet. By prioritizing infrastructure and measurement, we can create a safer online environment for all.
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