Haberler.com CEO Sümeyra Teymur: "Social media shapes our perceptions."

CEO of Haberler.com, Sümeyra Teymur, made significant statements revealing how social media platforms influence and manipulate individuals through their content selection processes. Teymur emphasized that social media not only directs our individual preferences but also shapes our societal perceptions.

What Content Do We See, and What Do We Not See?

Teymur explained the decisive role of social media in content selection with a simple example:

"Let's say you went to a restaurant and really liked it, and you shared a positive comment. Another person who went to the same restaurant had a bad experience and made a negative post. If Instagram highlights the positive comments, it creates the impression that the restaurant is great. However, if negative content is highlighted, it is thought that the restaurant is bad. This is where the guiding power of social media comes into play."

This situation is not only valid for simple topics like restaurants but also for much more significant social and global events.

Were Facts Hidden During the COVID-19 Process?

Teymur stated that social media platforms also applied similar censorship during the pandemic period. She particularly pointed out the statement made by Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg last week:

"Zuckerberg admitted that there was a demand to hide content describing the side effects of vaccines during the COVID-19 period. Many people were suspicious of this censorship at the time, but they had difficulty voicing their concerns."

The filtering of such content by social media algorithms led to users being exposed to only a specific perspective.

Were Gaza and Palestine Contents Deliberately Blocked?

Another important issue highlighted by Teymur was how content related to Gaza and Palestine was censored by social media platforms:

"Content supporting Gaza and Palestine was often either directly removed or made invisible under the pretext of policies. When users cannot access this content, they cannot gain an objective perspective on events and act solely based on the information presented by the platforms."

How Should We Take Precautions Against Manipulation?

Teymur's statements show that social media shapes not only individuals' perceptions but also those of societies. Therefore, it is crucial for users to approach the content they see with a critical eye, verify information from different sources, and understand how platforms operate.

While social media is one of the fastest ways to access information, questioning how content is filtered and what is highlighted stands out as the greatest defense mechanism against manipulation.