This week on Substack Live from the Sustainable Media Center, Emma Lembke sits down with former Google and Facebook executive Rob Leathern, founder of InfoHawk, and democracy advocate Imre Huss for a conversation about the forces shaping our online lives. Drawing on experience in technology, public policy, and youth advocacy, they explore how social media platforms are designed, why algorithms often reward engagement over well-being, and what can be done to create healthier digital environments.
The discussion examines the growing challenge of AI-powered scams and deception, the need for greater transparency around recommendation systems, and the role young people are playing in pushing back against attention-maximizing platforms. Along the way, Leathern and Huss offer practical ideas for improving online safety, strengthening civic discourse, and encouraging more meaningful engagement with information. Despite the challenges, the conversation ends on a hopeful note, highlighting emerging platforms, new approaches to accountability, and the power of intergenerational dialogue to help build a more trustworthy digital future.
