It is hard to disagree that many modern people are addicted to social networks and begin to use their Facebook, Instagram, and other profiles in a way that harms them. Overall, such social media platforms may be very effective for small businesses in attracting their target audience, but the effects of networks on ordinary people are very negative. Frances Haugen, former Facebook product manager, decided to reveal the terrible truth about how this platform violates Corporate Social Responsibility.
The testimony of Ms. Haugen is full of details and information that may make people want to delete their Facebook accounts. First of all, Frances notices that Facebook is “tearing apart our democracy, putting our children in danger, and sewing ethnic violence around the world” (C-SPAN, 2021). Facebook has had many challenges where the choice was between the company’s own profit and the safety of users’ personal data. Notwithstanding the aspects of Corporate Social Responsibility that state that businesses are responsible for the well-being of society, the social media platform’s managers “consistently resolved these conflicts in favor of their own profits” (C-SPAN, 2021). Instead of protecting its clients and making ethical choices, Facebook has been hiding vital information from people and governments while continuing to make choices that are harmful to societies.
The question is, are those people who do not use Facebook safe? Ms. Haugen’s answer is no: they are under the influence of Facebook users, and this disastrous impact has to stop (C-SPAN, 2021). The media platform hides the truth, does not allow anyone to see the essence of its operations, and promotes the spread of extremist ideas. These are the ways Facebook violates CSR, and this is why governments need to take action.
Reference
C-SPAN. (2021). Facebook Whistleblower Frances Haugen testifies before Senate Commerce Committee [Video]. YouTube.