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IRL: Online Life is Real Life

The Human Costs of Content Moderation

Jan 21, 2019
The podcast discusses the human costs of content moderation, including the psychological trauma faced by content moderators. It explores Facebook's content moderation policies and the challenges of relying on artificial intelligence. The episode also raises questions about censorship and free expression online, highlighting the difficulty of getting content moderation exactly right.
28:06

Podcast summary created with Snipd AI

Quick takeaways

  • Content moderators face significant mental and emotional challenges due to daily exposure to graphic and disturbing content, highlighting the need for better support and resources.
  • Finding the right balance between artificial intelligence and human expertise is crucial in effective content moderation, while ensuring transparency and trust-building with users.

Deep dives

The Impact of Difficult Content on Forensic Analysts and Content Moderators

Forensic analysts and content moderators are exposed to graphic and disturbing content on a daily basis, which can have significant effects on their mental and emotional well-being. Marla Carroll, a forensic analyst, discusses the challenging nature of her work, which involves reviewing crime-related content that is difficult to see and hear. She believes that her work serves the purpose of bringing justice and speaking for those who cannot speak for themselves. In contrast, content moderators who work for social media platforms focus on keeping the internet clean, but their work is not motivated by justice. The documentary 'The Cleaners' provides insights into the lives of content moderators based in Manila, Philippines, who are faced with the task of reviewing vast amounts of disturbing content. These moderators deal with the psychological toll of the job, with some experiencing trauma, eating disorders, and relationship issues as a result. Limited support is provided, with counseling sessions conducted in group settings. The ethical challenges faced by content moderators arise from the need to make judgment calls on whether certain content should be censored or allowed. The documentary highlights the fine line between protecting users from harmful content and potentially engaging in censorship.

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