Former US president Barack Obama has warned against using social media in a divisive way, during an interview with Prince Harry.
Obama did not mention his successor in the White House by name, but many will see the comments as a thinly veiled rebuke aimed at Donald Trump – who has drawn widespread criticism for the way he uses Twitter to attack opponents, and condemn what he brands “fake news”.
The Fake News refuses to talk about how Big and how Strong our BASE is. They show Fake Polls just like they report Fake News. Despite only negative reporting, we are doing well – nobody is going to beat us. MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) December 24, 2017
People are proud to be saying Merry Christmas again. I am proud to have led the charge against the assault of our cherished and beautiful phrase. MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!!!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) December 25, 2017
Questioned by Harry as part of the prince’s guest editorship of BBC Radio 4’s flagship Today programme, Obama said there was a danger of people becoming stuck in their biases due to social media use.
Obama said: “The question, I think, really has to do with how do we harness this technology in a way that allows a multiplicity of voices, allows a diversity of views, but doesn’t lead to a Balkanisation of our society, but rather continues to promote ways of finding common ground?
“And I’m not sure government can legislate that, but what I do believe is that all of us in leadership have to find ways in which we can recreate a common space on the internet.”
On behalf of the Obama family, Merry Christmas! We wish you joy and peace this holiday season. pic.twitter.com/CNFUZrhrBj
— Barack Obama (@BarackObama) December 25, 2017
There's no better time than the holiday season to reach out and give back to our communities. Great to hear from young people at the Boys & Girls Club in DC today. pic.twitter.com/FSJkj1qwg9
— Barack Obama (@BarackObama) December 14, 2017
“One of the dangers of the internet is that people can have entirely different realities,” added Obama. “They can be just cocooned in information that reinforces their current biases.”