The Dark Side of Social Media: Manipulation and Warfare

This chapter explores the evolution of botnets and cognitive warfare tactics used on social media platforms, emphasizing their low-cost, systematic manipulation fueled by advertisement revenue. It critiques the normalization of hostile behavior online and stresses the importance of self-awareness, breaks from social media, and the need for grassroots efforts to protect personal data. The discussion also highlights the psychological toll of continuous exposure to graphic content and the erosion of cognitive abilities in the digital landscape.