Q&A: Oct 19

This week Q&A asks: what are the consequences of our growing dependence on social media?

Tech designers have control over how billions of us think and act, and some of them have started sounding the alarm on their own creations.

Reports show higher social media use is now linked to a decline in mental health.

Political disinformation campaigns on social platforms are on the rise, undermining democracy in some countries.

So how do we stop social media from reprogramming our lives and take back control? Is government regulation the way to go?

How do we retain the positive aspects of connectivity and people power that social media offers?

Joining Hamish Macdonald on the program:

Tristan Harris, Former Google Design Ethicist and star of “The Social Dilemma”
Marc Fennell, Tech Reporter and Author
Julie Inman Grant, eSafety Commissioner
The Inspired Unemployed, Instagram influencers
Sally Rugg, Executive Director, change.org
Jocelyn Brewer, Cyberpsychologist

9:35pm Monday on ABC.