Digital Wildfire project Delphi panel on the responsible governance of social media

The Digital Wildfire project (www.digitalwildfire.org) investigated the responsible governance of social media. As part of this we ran a Delphi panel exercise to the solicit the informed opinion of relevant stakeholders on the appropriate steps needed to regulate social media in order to prevent or limit the spread of harmful content such as hate speech, malicious campaigns and rumour. The Delphi panel consisted of three rounds - with each round of questions sent to the same participants. Participants came from 4 groups: lawyers, social media users, staff members at social media platforms and staff at institutions (education, government etc.) Digital Wildfire (Nov 2014 to Nov 2016) is an ESRC funded project that investigates the spread of harmful content on social media and identifies opportunities for the responsible governance of digital social spaces. As a collaborative team of computer scientists, social scientists and ethicists, we investigate the impacts that content such as rumour, hate speech and malicious campaigns can have on individuals, groups and communities and examine social media data to identify forms of ‘self-governance’ through which social media users can manage their own and others’ online behaviours. We also draw on the perspectives other key players such as social media companies, legislators, the police, civil liberties groups and educators to explore ways in which the spread of harmful social media content might be prevented, limited or managed. The project will produce a number of practical outputs including an online social media safety resource and a set of teaching and learning materials for schools and young people. This includes our video animation #TakeCareOfYourDigitalSelf. For more information see www.digitalwildfire.or