New initiative elevates youth voices and fosters debate on social media regulation
NEW YORK, November 29, 2021 /PRNewswire/ — Newsweek, the iconic publisher with a history spanning over 85 years, is launching a competition to inspire youth-led dialogue on social media in partnership with the impact team behind the Emmy-winning Netflix documentary The Social Dilemma and the National Association for Urban Debate Leagues (NAUDL). The Social Dilemma Debate Project asks students across the country to record 2-minute videos debating potential policy solutions to combat the damaging effects of the social media business model, as shown in the film. Bids are due by March 21stafter what The social dilemma the impact team will share selected videos with legislators working on technology policy, and Newsweek will feature them in future episodes of its flagship podcast, Debate.
The project started with washington d.c. and students from the Boston Urban Debate League sharing their arguments on social media regulation before a panel of guest judges on September 28 including NewsweekGlobal Editor of , Nancy Cooperas good as Rishi Bharwanidirector of partnerships and policy for the defense organization Accountable Tech, Jason DownsChief Deputy Attorney General District of Colombia, Ariel Fox JohnsonSenior Counsel of Global Policy at Common Sense Media, and Jeff Seibertthe former head of consumer products at Twitter, who featured prominently in The social dilemma film.
“This project focuses the voices of Generation Z, whose lives have been shaped by social media since childhood, and who will face its impact for decades to come,” said Nancy Cooper, Newsweek’s global editor. “Newsweek is dedicated to creating meaningful dialogue on the greatest debates of our time and we believe it is essential to engage young thinkers as they ask questions that will shape our future. That’s why our podcast, Debateis the ideal place to make young people’s voices heard on this subject.”
“If social media continues to erode our common sense of truth and prevent us from finding common ground, how are we going to deal with the many seemingly insurmountable threats we face as a society?” declared Jeff OrlowskiDirector of The social dilemma. “We are delighted to partner with Newsweek and open doors for young people to participate in public debate. Social media and our failing information system are the starting point through which we can tackle the greatest challenges of our world.”
“Open and civil debate is a fundamental part of this country, and our goal as an organization has always been to encourage freedom of expression, the importance of dialogue and the engagement of young people in civil society in order to to create stronger leaders and better conditions for tomorrow,” said Rhonda Haynes, Executive Director, NAUDL. “This project focuses on one of the most pressing issues facing young people today, and we are grateful to be a part of it.”
The Social Dilemma Debate Project connects those most affected by these technologies with those working on solutions, including policymakers, subject matter experts, and technologists. Students and teachers can visit TheSocialDilemma.com/Debate to participate and access a free classroom debate resource, which invites students to explore the fundamentals of argument and guides them in formulating a potential solution to the damage social media is doing to our information ecosystem .
About Newsweek
Newsweek is the modern global digital news organization built around the iconic American magazine for over 85 years. Newsweek reaches 100 million people each month with its thought-provoking news, opinions, images, graphics and videos delivered across a dozen print and digital platforms. Based in New York, Newsweek also publishes international editions in EMEA and Asia.
About the social dilemma
The social dilemma premiered at the Sundance Film Festival in January 2020 and had its worldwide release on Netflix in September 2020, where it became the platform’s sixth most-watched film of 2020. As technology has become a lifeline during the pandemic, the film has given audiences a common understanding and new vocabulary for the threats posed by the Big Social’s business model of exploitation – from sanity to political polarization, to the erosion of our common sense of truth. The film’s impact campaign now leverages the power of storytelling to change Big Social’s business model through audience education, youth empowerment and political will building.
About the National Association of Urban Debate Leagues (NAUDL)
NAUDL is the national leader in the urban debate movement, preparing the next generation to lead and succeed. Through urban debate, students develop critical thinking, communication and collaboration skills. Today, nearly 11,000 students debate in 22 leagues across the country. NAUDL works to strengthen the network by providing funding, coaching programs, educational resources, general management support – with a strategic goal of reaching 20,000 debaters by 2023.
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SOURCE Newsweek