Content Moderation Futures

Contemporary social media platforms wield extraordinary influence over public discourse—yet their governance practices are frequently characterized as opaque, unfair, and ineffective. While experts agree that successful content moderation is principled, consistent, contextual, proactive, transparent, and accountable, technology companies repeatedly fail to achieve these goals at scale. Drawing on participatory research with various content moderation professionals, this talk identifies structural barriers to effective platform governance and explores potential solutions. Attendees will gain a more intimate understanding of the values, challenges, and contradictions that ultimately determine how platforms are governed, including practical strategies for promoting more equitable social media futures.