Former US President Barack Obama told Britain's Prince Harry he was concerned social media was "corroding civil discourse," in what he said was his first interview since leaving the White House, aired Wednesday.
Without mentioning Donald Trump, Obama said that such actions “distort” people’s understanding of “complex issues” who end up disseminating misinformation.
According to the BBC, Obama said powerful figures should be cautious about posting messages, and that social media can distort public discourse.
Prince Harry conducted the interview and also guest-edited the programme – focusing on issues such as the armed forces, youth crime, mental health, and climate change.
Obama also pointed out people can have “entirely different realities” on the internet, and they can be exposed to misinformation that could support their biases.
He added that the technology should instead be harnessed in a way that allows “multiplicity of voices,” diverse views, and ways of finding common ground – without leading “to a Balkanisation of society.”
