Antisocial Media: How Facebook Disconnects Us and Undermines Democracy delves into the intricate ways in which Facebook has evolved from a simple social networking platform into a complex tool that not only personalizes our digital lives but also fundamentally challenges democratic processes worldwide. Authored by Siva Vaidhyanathan, this fully updated paperback edition includes coverage of key developments since its initial publication, particularly focusing on the intensifying political controversies surrounding Facebook during the Trump era.

Vaidhyanathan argues that if one were to design a platform for disseminating propaganda, distracting users from critical issues, fueling hatred and bigotry, eroding social trust, undermining journalism, sowing doubts about science, and engaging in extensive surveillance, they would create something remarkably similar to Facebook. The book explores the unintended consequences of the platform’s mission, initially driven by good intentions and a missionary spirit, but ultimately devolving into a significant threat to democratic societies.

The updated edition features a new chapter that examines the growing recognition and backlash against Facebook’s power in recent years, from its role in Russian interference during elections to its use as a tool for murderous authoritarians. Vaidhyanathan provides both an authoritative analysis of how Facebook’s mission has gone profoundly wrong and a trenchant critique of the broader implications of “social media” on democratic culture globally.