The Briefing Residents evacuate as NSW floods + The ‘wicked problem’ in social media
May 19, 2025
Join Timothy Graham, a QUT digital media researcher, as he unpacks the world of online bots and social media manipulation. He reveals how these artificial accounts distort our perceptions, trumpet misinformation, and impact political discourse. The conversation dives into the ethics behind bots, exploring their duality as tools for good or harm. Graham emphasizes the importance of critically evaluating online content, especially in light of a recent case study involving the Great Barrier Reef. Prepare to rethink what you believe online!
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Internet Filled With Bots
- Nearly everything we interact with on the internet is bot-generated or automated content.
- This automation includes fake profiles, likes, views, and even comments prevalent on social media.
Bot Activity Depends On Context
- Bot prevalence varies by platform and topic, highest in areas like finance and crypto.
- Political platforms have about 2-3% bots, while finance-related spaces can reach 10-15%.
Some Humans Mimic Bots
- Recognize that some very active political users mimic bot behaviors by repetitive, passionate posting.
- Not all repetitive content comes from bots; some comes from highly engaged humans.