Social media impacts on public discourse and mental health

Discussions regarding the evolution of media highlight a growing distinction between public service media and private social media platforms. Yanis Varoufakis and the DiEM25 movement have raised concerns that private ownership of social media could lead to a form of techno-feudalism, characterized by a lack of transparency and the ability for platforms to remove content or users without recourse.

To address these challenges, technological solutions are being explored. For instance, Albania is implementing an AI-based public procurement system called Diella, scheduled for gradual introduction by autumn 2027, to identify fraud and reduce corruption. Montenegro currently utilizes a similar system known as CEJN.

On an individual level, social media is noted for creating curated, often inaccurate representations of reality. Research published in the Journal of Experimental Psychology suggests that passive use of these platforms, such as scrolling through feeds, can contribute to feelings of envy and negatively impact mental health, particularly among adolescents who use platforms like Instagram to project idealized versions of their lives.