Regulation may boost user-generated creativity on prominent digital platforms, according to recent studies.
In a groundbreaking research paper titled "YouTube Creativity and the Regulator's Dilemma," Xiaoren Wang, a postdoc research associate at CREATe, delves into the psychological and economic factors that might stifle creativity on video-sharing platforms like YouTube.
Internal Challenges and Algorithmic Influences
Creators on YouTube often grapple with internal challenges such as self-doubt and fear of negative feedback, which can hinder experimentation and unique expression. These factors, outlined in the paper, can limit user creativity by discouraging originality and fostering risk aversion.
YouTube’s algorithms, designed to maximize engagement, often favor content that adheres to trending formats and themes. This can pressure creators to produce similar content that aligns with algorithmic preferences, potentially stifling creative diversity.
Resource and Environment Factors
Creativity thrives in supportive environments and leadership that foster experimentation and risk-taking. A lack of such support or resources on the platform or within a creator’s community can impede creative growth.
The Role of AI Tools and Regulation
Recent AI tools introduced by YouTube Shorts aim to enhance creativity by providing new ways to generate and animate content. However, reliance on such tools may also standardize creative outputs or limit creativity if used uncritically.
Regulation also plays a significant role in shaping the creative landscape. For instance, the Digital Services Act (EU) requires very large online platforms to conduct ex-ante risk assessments on the systemic harms of platforms, while Article 17 of the EU General Data Protection Regulation guarantees the viewers' right to reject the recommendation algorithm, potentially pushing platforms to incorporate greater diversity into the design of the algorithms.
The Future of Creativity on Video-Sharing Platforms
Regulation that discourages creativity in one aspect could simultaneously encourage it in another, and policymakers need to keep this in mind as they propose new regulations. The UK Government Online Harms White Paper sets up a duty of care, making giant platforms liable for harmful user-generated content, which could potentially foster a more supportive environment for creators. Competition law could also encourage the generation of new platforms and services, providing more options to creators.
As we navigate the evolving landscape of video-sharing platforms, it is crucial to understand the factors that influence creativity and strive to create an environment that encourages originality and diversity.
- The research paper by Xiaoren Wang delves into the psychological factors that might stifle creativity on video-sharing platforms.
- Internal challenges like self-doubt and fear of negative feedback can limit user creativity on YouTube.
- Algorithmic preferences on YouTube can pressure creators to produce similar content, potentially stifling creative diversity.
- Supportive environments and leadership that foster experimentation are essential for creative growth on YouTube.
- AI tools introduced by YouTube Shorts aim to enhance creativity, but their uncritical use may standardize creative outputs.
- Regulation such as the Digital Services Act requires platforms to conduct risk assessments and may push them to incorporate greater diversity into their algorithms.
- Policymakers need to consider the impact of regulations on creativity in different aspects when proposing new policies.
- The UK Government Online Harms White Paper sets up a duty of care, potentially fostering a more supportive environment for creators.
- Competition law could encourage the generation of new platforms and services, providing more options to creators.
- To encourage originality and diversity on video-sharing platforms, it's important to understand the factors influencing creativity and create a supportive environment for creators while leveraging data-and-cloud-computing technologies and implementing policy-and-legislation that encourages innovation, culture, and the arts.
