Molloy DSG Professional Digest

In the realm of social media and online communities, the concept of shadowbanning has emerged as a controversial practice that can have profound implications for users, particularly those who have not engaged in any misconduct. Shadowbanning refers to the act of restricting a user's visibility on a platform without their knowledge, rendering their posts and contributions invisible to others. While these policies are intended to be aimed at maintaining community standards, in execution this practice is fundamentally antisocial as it undermines the principles of open communication and engagement that are essential to healthy online interactions. The consequences of shadowbanning extend far beyond the individual user, affecting trust in the platform as a whole and contributing to the erodsion of the very fabric of digital social connection.

One of the most significant effects of shadowbanning is the isolation and alienation it can cause. Users who find themselves shadowbanned often experience a sense of disconnect from the communities they once participated in. They may continue to post content, unaware that it is not reaching their intended audience, leading to feelings of frustration and loneliness. This frustration can be compounded when trolls and vulgar users continue to litter the chat without repercussion.

This practice of shadowbanning erodes trust in the platform itself. As users become aware of the practice, they may begin to question the integrity of the platform's moderation processes and the motivations behind them. This distrust can extend to interactions with other users, fostering a paranoid atmosphere where individuals feel the need to self-censor or avoid open dialogue. The erosion of trust undermines the very principles of collaboration and community-building that many online platforms strive to promote.

Healthy online communities thrive on participation, interaction, and the exchange of diverse perspectives. By sidelining individuals who could contribute positively, shadowbanning disrupts these dynamics and limits the potential for growth and enrichment within the community. When certain voices are silenced, the overall discourse becomes less vibrant, less inclusive, and ultimately less representative of the diverse user base that characterizes many online spaces.

There's no telling how many individuals are affected by this type of policy. From personal experience, in the last 20 years I have been shadowbanned from the following services for no apparent reason:

• YouTube Chat & Comments, under two different accounts - When every popular video has SEO-phrase crypto scam bots show up with thousands of likes in the first five minutes, one like myself has to wonder if that type of system of spam comments and associated votes are from inside.
• Reddit has me shadowbanned and I don't care, although I'm not convinced even half of what I see there is human.
• I could name a few more... But I won't so just beware of this type of censoring.

No big loss.