NZ terror attacks: Social media platforms have failed

As the horrific terrorist attack in Christchurch unfolded, social media users played right into the gunman’s plot, writes Ryan Northover. We have a responsibility to do better.

By sharing the terrorist video, we unwittingly become part of their grand plan.

It was meticulously prepared and deliberately executed, for all the world to see on social media and through television.

As the horrific terrorist attack in Christchurch unfolded, social media users seemed to have completely failed to comprehend the implications of sharing the horrific video.

Live-streamed on social media by one of the terrorists, copied and amplified across the web via social media and the dark web, then onto mainstream television. All before being verified by the authorities in New Zealand.

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There are many definitions and ways of thinking about terrorism. One is the terrifying message that it carries beyond the act itself, through the mass media, stunning society and generating fear and division. As a consequence of an attack, the message and media content generated by it can be just as powerful as the actual violence — even more so.

In this case, it’s clear that one of the goals of this act of terror, was to ensure not only the maximum possible casualties of innocent civilians, but also that those images would be seen by millions around the world.

Please do not share the live stream from Christchurch. Facebook, Google, and Twitter are clearly struggling to get on top of this. Please do your bit and just keep scrolling. pic.twitter.com/zEbT4bCwZi

— Jen Dudley-Nicholson (@jendudley) March 15, 2019

About one hour before the act, one of the terrorists dropped a series of links to content onto his personal Twitter account, including a ranting manifesto and links to other content that he wanted the whole world to see.

Then, using social media and a camera strapped to his body, he began live streaming, with breadcrumbs of content left in his wake that was quickly shared by social media users worldwide and rapidly caught by newsrooms across Australasia and elsewhere.

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Exactly what the terrorist had intended.

Social media platforms have failed.

Christchurch’s alleged mosque shooter Brenton Tarrant. Picture: Supplied

In an age of disinformation and political hate amplified, Facebook, Twitter, YouTube and many more platforms have vowed to “do better”. Yet, they have completely failed, again.

The major platforms claimed they have spent a great deal of time and effort working to ensure violent and extremist terror videos are flagged and taken down from their platforms, before they can be widely disseminated and viewed. That obviously still hasn’t happened.

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The video was streamed live on Facebook, before it was seen on 8Chan, re-posted on YouTube and on Reddit and Twitter and beyond.

Sheera Frenkel, a cybersecurity expert and journalist, said it only took her 60 seconds to find a version of the terror video on Instagram and YouTube. The terrorist’s social media page remained up for three hours after the attack. This is not good enough.

The age of social media, 24/7 TV news and misinformation is the perfect brew to enable insane, radical terrorists or all stripes and ideologies to exploit hate and radicalise more minds to their horrific and inhuman ideas.

Originally published as NZ terror attacks: Social media platforms have failed