Social media first started out as a platform for entertainment, information-sharing and Today, it has quickly established itself as a commerce platform where clicks have currency and influence is capital. According to Business Insider, the creator economy was worth $250 billion in 2023 and set to double by 2027. Rage Bait is part of this evolution and is designed to draw strong emotional reactions to posts.

Our next guest has written an article outlining how anger has become a commodity that is profitable, the role of misinformation in rage bait that has even spilled over into newsfeeds, and the dangers of harmful content being amplified for online users. She is calling for algorithmic transparency from and the South African

government to broaden its Cybercrimes Act to include digital abuse. This is important inclusion given how South Africa has struggled with violence and the reproduction thereof. 

Guest: Shatadi Phokose - candidate attorney at the University of South Africa Law Clinic, master’s candidate in corporate law and a digital culture observer