Analyzing Social Media Platforms to Establish Evaluation Metrics for Propensity of S.C.A.R.E. Abuse
Open Access
Author:
Thoet, Austin
Area of Honors:
Security and Risk Analysis
Degree:
Bachelor of Science
Document Type:
Thesis
Thesis Supervisors:
Michael Keith Hills, Thesis Supervisor Dinghao Wu, Thesis Honors Advisor
Keywords:
social media extremism persuasive technology captology S.C.A.R.E.
Abstract:
The negligent design of social media platforms allows malicious actors to manipulate and exert control over unsuspecting users. This collective of abusers is established as S.C.A.R.E., representing Scammers, Chaos Causers, Advertisers, Radicalizers, and Election Interferers. This group thrives on four common structural weaknesses of social networking platforms, which include anonymity, personalization, engagement priority, and content moderation. The use of evaluation metrics determines the extent each weakness exists on a platform. These calculations grade each social media platform’s likelihood of abuse by S.C.A.R.E. actors based on the presence of structural flaws. After Facebook, Twitter, Youtube, and Reddit, are scored, research can be conducted on structural improvements for each of the detailed weaknesses. This begins the path to establishing a modern framework for social media design. This study provides interested parties with a path for development that prevents endangerment of their userbase to mental health issues, loss of decision-making autonomy, stolen property or identity, as well as countless other harmful outcomes. Ultimately, the purpose of this study is to help the average social media user avoid exploitation and participate freely in a digital age.
