How Decentralization Affects User Agency on Social Platforms

TL;DR

This paper explores how decentralization in social platforms like Bluesky can enhance user agency by enabling user-driven content moderation and greater control over online experiences, addressing issues of transparency and harm in traditional platforms.

Contribution

It introduces the concept of user-driven content moderation through blocks in a decentralized platform and analyzes its impact on user agency and control.

Findings

Patterns in user-driven content moderation identified

Decentralization offers increased control over online experiences

Potential for improved transparency and reduced online harms

Abstract

Mainstream social media platforms function as "walled garden" ecosystems that restrict user agency, control, and data portability. They have demonstrated a lack of transparency that contributes to a multitude of online harms. Our research investigates how decentralization might present promise as an alternative model to walled garden platforms. Specifically, we describe the user-driven content moderation through blocks as an expression of agency on Bluesky, a decentralized social platform. We examine the impact of providing users with more granular control over their online experiences, including what they post, who can see it, and whose content they are exposed to. We describe the patterns identified in user-driven content moderation and suggest directions for further research.