Social Media as Neurotechnology: A Case Study of Censorship and Propaganda on Twitter Restricted; Files Only
Mohsenzadeh, Alexa (Spring 2023)
Published
Abstract
Neurotechnology is an emerging subset of technology that involves the direct manipulation and/or recording of neural activity. This study presents evidence that social media platforms can access and influence neural activity. Therefore, social media platforms ought to be classified as neurotechnology and subject to the same ethical considerations, especially in cases where social media are manipulated for political purposes to control people’s beliefs and restrict the free flow of information. These principles are applied to the case of the usage of Twitter in Iran by government affiliated accounts since the start of the protests in September 2022. The ethical, legal, and societal implications of the control of social media and spread of digital propaganda are assessed. The use of social media as the primary outlet for communication and information sharing through the protests in Iran is an example of how people’s conceptions, belief systems, and behaviors can be tied to social media. Thus, censoring and filtering these platforms to influence people’s thoughts is both a human rights issue and a neuroethical concern that must be addressed using existing guidelines for regulating neurotechnology.
Table of Contents
Social Media as Neurotechnology
Introduction and Significance 1
What is Neurotechnology? 1
Social Media Defined 2
Media vs. Social Media 3
Social Media and the Brain 6
Propaganda and Censorship Defined 14
Propaganda and the Brain 15
Why Neuroethics? 19
Manipulation of Social Media: A Neuroethical Issue 22
The Case of Twitter Usage in Iran, Sept. 2022-March 2023
Overview 25
Methods 29
Results 32
Discussion 44
A Neuroethical Analysis: Ethical, Legal, Societal Implications 44
Limitations and Procedures for Credibility 50
Conclusion 51
References 52
Figures Listed 66
Appendix 72
About this Honors Thesis
School | |
---|---|
Department | |
Degree | |
Submission | |
Language |
|
Research Field | |
Palavra-chave | |
Committee Chair / Thesis Advisor | |
Committee Members |
![Preview image embargoed](/assets/No_Preview-c99a369db0c8f31173bf3fdc06f581cabae85282e8a747dd66f99b731b54aec0.png)
Primary PDF
Thumbnail | Title | Date Uploaded | Actions |
---|---|---|---|
![]() |
File download under embargo until 19 May 2025 | 2023-04-10 11:27:45 -0400 | File download under embargo until 19 May 2025 |
Supplemental Files
Thumbnail | Title | Date Uploaded | Actions |
---|