On 18 June 2018 Dr. Daniel Trottier will speak at the Wetenschapscafé (Science Café) in Rotterdam about “Social media: A blessing or a curse?”
Social media: A blessing or a curse?
Social media platforms and mobile devices allow people to monitor their peers. This can be used to keep in contact with friends, but social media can also be misused. In response to illegal or uncivil behavior, footage can be recorded and uploaded of the offending act. Others may share information about the targeted suspect, while a larger audience joins in on the accusation through offensive or even hate speech. While citizens may believe they are achieving some form of justice, their actions may compromise investigations, and undermine commonly known assumptions of privacy, proportionality and dignity. During this Science Café, dr. Daniel Trottier will address digital watchfulness as a crowdsourced practice that is both a form of active citizenship and coordinated harassment. By discussing examples in and beyond the Dutch context, the challenges facing citizens, but also states, the press and digital media platforms will be considered.
Daniel Trottier started his career obtaining an bachelor of arts in Psychology and Sociology at McGill University and a master of arts in Sociology at Concordia University, both in Montreal, Canada. He completed a PhD in Sociology at Queen’s University in Kingston, Canada. After researching and teaching in Sweden and the United Kingdom, he is currently working at the Department of Media and Communication of the Erasmus University as an Associate Professor of Global Digital Media.
Event location
The Wetenschapscafé will take place at the Mart Café, Grote Markt 4 & 6, Rotterdam.