Is it time to say goodbye to Facebook, Twitter and Google? I’m not sure. 

I’ve spent the past couple of weeks thinking seriously about this. Questions of privacy, security and censorship make me doubt the value of these platforms for social media. 

I believe in freedom of speech and diversity in the communication of ideas. I abhor censorship (whether overt or covert) and I detest propaganda. Do I really want to contribute—directly or indirectly—to the invasion of others’ privacy or to the fake news propagated by the left or the right?

A wise newspaper editor once told me that “freedom of the press” means that if we don’t like what we’re seeing or reading in the news media, we’re free to start our own newspaper or media outlet. As is quite evident today, it does NOT mean that existing media are required to be “fair and balanced” or to only share with readers news that’s “fit to print.” 

All news media reflect the bias of owners, managers, editors and reporters. Intelligent people should recognize and, to the extent possible, “filter out” the biases that are reflected in the 24 hour news cycle. Responsible journalists should minimize the instances of biased reporting or, at the very least, name their points of view instead of pretending to be objective. 

Manipulation of data—and the spread of propaganda—for political or commercial purposes is as old as politics and commerce. But the degree to which these distortions of the truth occur today is alarming. Social media has increased exponentially the invasive practices of newspapers, radio and television and created a culture in which the most innocent activities (like sharing family events with friends and family on Facebook) can become the means for gathering data to be used and abused by those who would do us harm. 

My dilemma, quite frankly, is that these social media platforms and others have succeeded in connecting me to family, friends and colleagues in ways I never imagined possible. Without them, I would once again be cut off from people I want to stay connected to. 

On the other hand, my use of these same social media platforms has exposed me to some of the most vicious, hate-mongering, vengeful gossip and fake news imaginable. Even an inspiring tweet by Pope Francis is accompanied by “comments” that ought to be considered unprintable in any civil communication. Too often, members of my own family, and friends whom I respect and dearly love, pass along this hateful speech as if it were their duty as responsible citizens. I want to scream, but what I do instead is either quickly pass over it or find something else to do with my time (like watching mystery dramas on the BBC channel)!

What’s the solution? I wish I knew. I will keep thinking about this in the days ahead, and ultimately, make a decision. In the meantime, I welcome your thoughts.