Obama warns against irresponsible social media use

Former US President Barack Obama has warned against the irresponsible use of social media, in a rare interview since stepping down in January. He warned that such actions were distorting people’s understanding of complex issues, and spreading misinformation. “All of us in leadership have to find ways in which we can recreate a common space […]

Former US President Barack Obama has warned against the irresponsible use of social media, in a rare interview since stepping down in January.

He warned that such actions were distorting people’s understanding of complex issues, and spreading misinformation.

“All of us in leadership have to find ways in which we can recreate a common space on the internet,” he said.

Mr Obama was quizzed by Prince Harry on BBC Radio 4’s Today programme.

The former president expressed concern about a future where facts are discarded and people only read and listen to things that reinforce their own views.

“One of the dangers of the internet is that people can have entirely different realities. They can be cocooned in information that reinforces their current biases.