Bucerias Joel and The Double-Edged Sword of Social Media: Power, Responsibility, and the Struggle for Fairness
the double-edged power of social media, reflecting the contrasting effects of empowerment and harm
The Double-Edged Sword of Social Media: Power, Responsibility, and the Struggle for Fairness
As a content creator on YouTube, I have experienced firsthand how these platforms can make—or break—you. For years, I’ve worked hard to build a channel centered on positive content about life and real estate in Bucerías, Mexico. My channel, Bucerias_Joel, was thriving, consistently ranking highly in searches and fostering an engaged community.
Then, a defamatory video targeting me was uploaded. It violated YouTube’s own Community Guidelines by engaging in harassment, doxxing, and defamation. Naturally, I turned to YouTube’s reporting mechanisms, confident that the platform would enforce its policies to protect creators and the broader community.
To my disappointment, YouTube failed to act. Despite providing clear evidence of violations, I received generic responses dismissing my concerns. The platform not only allowed the harmful content to remain but began actively promoting it. At the same time, my channel—once highly visible—was demoted in search rankings. The harmful content gained traction, while my legitimate work was buried.
I don’t want to sound like a conspiracy theorist, but the sequence of events raises troubling questions. Has my attempt to seek fairness inadvertently led to my punishment? Is the platform sending a message to creators: “Don’t push back, or you’ll pay the price”?
A Broader Problem
My story is far from unique. Reports and studies have shown that platforms like YouTube, Facebook, and others apply their guidelines inconsistently. While some content is swiftly removed or demoted, other harmful material thrives—often because it drives engagement. In this way, the algorithms themselves become complicit in amplifying harm.
These trillion-dollar companies have become so powerful that the decisions of a few employees—or even the flip of an algorithmic switch—can change someone’s life for better or worse. Creators who rely on these platforms for their livelihoods are left in a precarious position. Do we push back against injustice, risking further suppression? Or do we keep our heads down, hoping to rebuild quietly?
What Can Be Done?
This is the double-edged sword of social media: its ability to empower and destroy. But what can we, as individuals and communities, do to address this imbalance?
Hold Platforms Accountable: Demand greater transparency in how guidelines are enforced and how algorithms prioritize content. Public pressure and regulatory oversight may help create a fairer system.
Engage Constructively: Fighting back doesn’t mean engaging in the same harmful behaviors we condemn. Reasonable, fact-based advocacy can build support for change.
Diversify Platforms: Creators should consider expanding their presence across multiple platforms to reduce dependence on any one company.
Advocate for Algorithmic Reform: Algorithms should prioritize quality and community health over sensationalism and engagement metrics.
A Call for Change
Social media platforms have transformed the way we communicate, share, and create. But with great power comes great responsibility. If these companies are to remain forces for good, they must prioritize fairness, transparency, and the well-being of their communities.
For creators like me, this isn’t just a matter of principle—it’s a matter of survival. I want to continue sharing content that inspires and informs, but I can only do so if the platforms I rely on uphold their commitments to fairness and safety.
The question remains: Do we submit and hope for the best, or do we fight back with facts and reasonable engagement? The answer, I believe, lies in finding a balance—advocating for change while staying true to the values that make us creators in the first place.
Let’s start the conversation.
Joel Goralski @bucerias_Joel
Content Creator | Real Estate Developer
Bucerías, Mexico