Prosocial media platforms are reshaping digital landscapes by fostering genuine dialogue and reducing online conflict. Initiatives like Twitter's Community Notes and community-sourced fact-checking platforms such as Cofacts are at the forefront of this movement. Twitter Community Notes have remarkably decreased the number of retweets on potentially misleading posts by nearly 50% and increased the likelihood of tweet deletions by 80%. This evolution marks a significant shift in how information is shared and moderated in online spaces.
Launched in 2017 by g0v, a civic technology community, Cofacts has been a beacon of success in prosocial media. Its adoption in Thailand in 2019 further exemplifies its impact beyond its Taiwanese roots. Research from Cornell University highlights Cofacts' efficiency, noting its speed and accuracy in handling misinformation queries, rivaling professional fact-checking sites. By empowering users to contextualize messages within private groups, Cofacts propels community-sourced fact-checking into new territories.
Community Notes on X.com and YouTube have also embraced community-sourced fact-checking for public posts, illustrating a trend towards collaborative content verification. By enabling users to add context to potentially misleading information, these platforms promote informed discourse and minimize misinformation spread. These developments underscore the growing recognition of community involvement in maintaining digital integrity.
Decentralized social networks, such as Mastodon, offer another dimension to prosocial media. Research at the University of Cincinnati reveals that users gravitate towards these platforms for greater control over their data, away from intrusive data mining practices. Mastodon stands out by reducing reported animosity among users, achieved through ranking posts and comments based on values like compassion, respect, and curiosity.
In an innovative collaboration, Stanford University and Jigsaw have developed AI tools that evaluate social media content based on these same values, further aligning technology with prosocial objectives. This approach not only nurtures a healthier online environment but also encourages a more compassionate digital culture.
Meta's Threads joining the Fediverse—a network of interoperable social media platforms including Mastodon and WordPress—demonstrates the growing trend towards interconnected digital ecosystems. Meanwhile, Bluesky, a decentralized platform funded by Twitter founder Jack Dorsey, launched publicly in February 2024, signifies a continued push towards decentralization in social media.
As we look to the future, 2025 promises a new wave of prosocial media platforms poised to bridge online divides and emphasize shared values that unite users. These emerging platforms aim to highlight common ground, fostering a more cohesive and collaborative digital experience.
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