THE EMPATHY ACT
The Empathy Act calls on federal legislators to draft and implement policy that requires social media and forum platforms to actively remind users to take into account intersectionality (such as with Gender-Based Analysis+ lenses) and requires them to reflect on whether the content that they are posting is offensive to marginalized groups and/or visible minorities
LACK OF NETIQUETTE (ETIQUETTE IN TECHNOLOGY)
We believe that a proper and educated use of technology can have a fruitful and positive influence on online social relations. We would recommend that, policy makers should pursue age-segmented digital education programs, with the aim to:
1. Teach the basic functionality of new technology;
2. Learn to recognize threats and opportunities granted by online interactions;
3. Build bridges between the public and the private sphere.
Beyond the above recommendations, which are fundamental to ensure socially sustainable technological progress, we also believe action must be taken to implement a common “honour code” to define appropriate online behaviour.
