In early January, Mark Zuckerberg announced a decision that could shake and potentially destroy the very foundations of the internet: Meta is ending its collaboration with fact-checkers. It is a raised middle finger to global corporate and societal responsibility. Content moderation on platforms like Facebook and Instagram will henceforth rely solely on automated deletions for serious rule violations. A task previously handled by humans is now being replaced by a system that raises more questions than it answers.
The significance of this decision extends far beyond the boundaries of a single company. It marks a turning point: the era of self-regulation for social networks is entering a new phase – one where the responsibility for finding the truth is increasingly shifted onto users. Zuckerberg is adopting an absurd approach reminiscent of Elon Musk, two entrepreneurs cut from the same egomaniacal and narcissistic cloth. The community is supposed to decide what is true and what is not. A method that is as innovative as it is problematic. It sounds like Pippi Longstocking’s mantra: "I make the world the way I like it." The crucial difference? Pippi’s intentions were always good. As rebellious as she was, her heart was pure, and everything she did against the rules was for the greater good. The same cannot be said for Elon and Mark. Perhaps it never could.
The Consequences of a New Information Order
Loss of Trust
The internet was once envisioned as a place of progress, connection, and knowledge sharing. Or at least, that’s how it was dreamed to be. However, trust in the content we consume has long been eroded. With the end of fact-checking, another fragment of credibility disappears. Users are increasingly left to distinguish fact from fiction on their own – a task that is insurmountable for many. And one that many simply refuse to undertake. Personal responsibility is not everyone’s strength.
A Platform for Disinformation
Social networks have long become catalysts for disinformation. With the abolition of fact-checking, we lose one of the last tools to counteract this trend. The use of AI to generate content presents the greatest challenge: fake news campaigns could be orchestrated on an unprecedented scale.
Erosion of Societal Discourse
Without a shared foundation of truth, societal debates risk further fragmentation. What happens when we can no longer agree on basic facts? The answer lies in an increasingly polarized society, one that struggles to act collectively.
Responsibility in the Digital World
It would be easy to lay all the blame at Mark Zuckerberg’s feet. But the truth is more complex. The pressure on social networks to moderate content has increased in recent years – not least due to scandals like Cambridge Analytica. But instead of using this momentum to establish credible systems, companies like Meta are retreating further.
What remains is the question of how we as a society will deal with this development. How can we ensure that values such as truth, transparency, and responsibility endure in the digital age?
A Path Forward
Strengthening Media Literacy
The foundation for conscious engagement with digital content is education. Schools, universities, and companies must intensify their efforts to teach media literacy. Users need to learn to critically question sources and recognize disinformation. And perhaps also develop the mindset that internet and media content are nothing more than "bread and circuses": distractions, entertainment, but not inherently valuable or enduring. Media content is as fictional as a Hollywood movie or a porno – nothing seen there reflects reality. Perhaps one day our children will laugh at us: "What? You actually took social media and internet content at face value? How naïve!"
Regulation Instead of Self-Delegation
The idea of self-regulation has proven insufficient. It is time to establish clear legal frameworks that hold social networks accountable. Transparency in algorithms and liability for disseminated content are crucial first steps. Like in the real world, we need an "internet police" and "internet laws." Incidentally, this could also create many new jobs.
Return to Authentic Networks
In a world of digital non-commitment, analog interactions gain value. Trustworthy networks – whether in personal or digital spaces – can counterbalance the unbridled platforms. Here, new opportunities emerge to establish the exchange of ideas and information on a credible foundation.
Opting Out of Social Networks
It’s so simple: just leave. Those who have deactivated their Instagram account (or other networks) often find, within days, not a sense of loss but rather a surprising gain: more time, more focus, more inner peace, more fulfillment, and more happiness. They also realize how little or not at all they miss the buzzing timelines filled with information clutter and irrelevant glimpses into other people’s lives. The less we use social networks, the more we strip these platforms of their power. We dilute them. We reverse the equation and flatten them out.
A Call for Responsibility
The end of fact-checking is a wake-up call. It is up to us – as individuals, organizations, and society – to decide how we will meet this challenge. And whether we hear this alarm or choose to snooze it, roll over, and go back to sleep. The digital world is not merely a reflection of the real world; it actively shapes and distorts it. If we relinquish this power, we risk losing the foundations of our societal cohesion.
Responsibility is not assumed through moral outrage but through active engagement. Because what is at stake is nothing less than our shared reality.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Henriette Frädrich is a keynote speaker, moderator, and storytelling expert. With energy, humor, and depth, she takes her audience on a journey through impactful topics: from change and resilience to motivation, innovation, artificial intelligence, communication, and leadership.
Her mission? To simplify complexity, open minds, and touch hearts. Whether on big stages or in interactive workshops, she combines profound knowledge with emotional storytelling, creating lasting “aha” moments. Her talks are captivating experiences that inspire and empower people to take their next step with confidence.
