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Graduate creates new conversation app as antidote to ‘toxic’ social media
Being a smaller platform will make it easier to moderate online hate, says founder
September 3, 2021 14:05
Being a smaller platform will make it easier to moderate online hate, says founder
September 3, 2021 14:05A 24-year-old Jewish Londoner says his new social media app, Collate, will offer its users an “online oasis away from toxic conversations”.
Oliver Kraftman, whose team includes two interns and a part-time tech adviser, revealed that individual posts will be restricted to at least 100 words in a bid to encourage nuance and long-form discussion.
Users will be given the option to limit replies to their public messages to just one individual to avoid dogpiling.
“The idea is that the conversation will be quite ring-fenced almost,” said the former politics and economics student.
“Hopefully that will allow a bit more depth for the conversation to develop and that will be really fascinating for readers,” he added.
The app founder aspires to encourage public figures and politicians to join the platform which he hopes will be a “space where you can’t just hide behind soundbites."
Being a smaller platform will meanwhile make it easier to moderate online hate, Mr Kraftman said, adding he will initially focus on curating the community to ensure app users set the right tone.
And the firm also plans to potentially charge a small subscription fee at a later stage to avoid relying on advertising revenue, which Mr Kraftman fears can force firms to prioritise scrolling and lighter content.
Collate is set to be released to some users before its full launch next year.