Medienethik im Zeitalter der sozialen Medien

Ein Beitrag in zehn Thesen

Abstract

This article deals with the ethical implications and challenges of social media. Drawing on the notion of prosumerism, it argues that not only the companies operating social media platforms bear moral responsibility for ensuring a democratic digital cul­ture of communication, but also and especially their users. The recommendation algo­rithms of Facebook, Twitter and other platforms have undoubtedly played a major role in the recent crisis of democracy; however, it must also be taken into account that the digital transformation of the public sphere confronts its users with unprecedented media-ethical challenges as well. Against this background, this article highlights, among other things, the importance of media ethics for the promotion of media literacy in the digital age.