Social Media: The Trauma Economy

Context

Your company depends on outsourced content moderators in developing countries to police traumatic content. These workers endure shockingly low pay, severe mental health trauma without adequate support, and alleged union suppression.

Dilemma

A) Dramatically overhaul content moderation practices, significantly increasing pay, providing robust mental health support, and ensuring worker rights across all contractors.

B) Maintain the current outsourced model, prioritizing cost-efficiency and scalability for global content moderation, while offering minimal, reactive improvements to worker conditions only under duress.

Summary

In Nairobi, Sama, an "ethical AI" company, employs nearly 200 Africans to moderate Facebook content, viewing graphic violence and abuse. Despite Sama's claims of "dignified digital work" and lifting people out of poverty, these workers are among Facebook's lowest-paid globally, earning as little as $1.50 per hour. Employees report mental trauma, intimidation, and suppressed unionization efforts. Facebook, which monitors Sama's operations, faces accusations of exploitation. Content moderators are leaving in large numbers due to poor pay and conditions, impacting Facebook's ability to police content, particularly in conflict zones like Ethiopia.

Resources:

• https://time.com/6147458/facebook-africa-content-moderation-employee-treatment/