Be kind…or else

MIT Technology Review discusses a new social network, Telepath, which is centered on the idea of “kindness.” 

Telepath has a number of features that are interesting but not exactly game-changing: it is an invite-only app, posts disappear after 30 days, you can follow certain people or topics. But what is unique is that moderators enforce “kindness.”  As one of the founders says, this is a higher bar than mere “civility.”

To enforce kindness, users must display their real names and Telepath verifies users’ identity using their phone number, which makes it harder to set up fake accounts.

All sounds wonderful, but some downsides and concerns also have emerged.  Although the belief is that real names will ensure better behavior, there is no solid evidence for that, and using a real name can make someone vulnerable to doxxing and other forms of online harassment, which is a particularly salient concern for those from marginalized communities.

Also, what does “kindness” mean? It is in the eye of the beholder, to a large extent. Where does honest disagreement cross into the land of incivility? 

And critics are also concerned about the development of an in-group culture. The initial user base seems to consist largely of white, male, Silicon Valley types. Can an invite-only app really attract and maintain a large, diverse user base? Or will it become a dull echo chamber with limited appeal?