Social media is the most transformative and most controversial technology of the 21st century. Its defenders argue that it has democratised communication, given voice to the voiceless, connected billions of people across the world, and enabled social movements that changed history. Its critics argue that it has destroyed mental health, spread misinformation, polarised societies, addicted billions of users to dopamine feedback loops, and made teenagers miserable. Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and X have reshaped politics, culture, and human relationships in ways we are only beginning to understand. When people vote honestly — is social media a net positive or net negative for society?
