Facebook Punitive System

Facebook Team,

  A “No Broken Windows” policy might be a good basis for Facebook’s punitive system - get rid of small, visible problems to discourage larger problems. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fixing_Broken_Windows) For example, deactivating an account encourages a problem user to start a second account with a new email address. This sends a subtle message to their friends that it’s okay to break a small rule. It might be better to keep accounts active and teach problem users in a different way.

  Small, predictable punishments might teach members. Soccer Moms and NASCAR Dads don’t read FAQs or Terms of Use. They need a system that nudges them when they stray into bad territory. Small bits of consistent information will build a social body of knowledge.

  If we asked a bunch of people, “What would get you kicked off Facebook?” They might answer, “Post porn? Or spam people?” If we asked, “What is spam on Facebook?” They might answer, “I don’t know. Send a message to millions of people?” I think most people don’t know what would get them kicked off Facebook.

  Users could receive a negative stimulus related to the feature they’re misusing:

- page load per minute restricted
- friend requests disabled
- picture upload or tagging disabled
- messages and wall posts disabled

  The negative stimulus could have a visible reminder - not just a warning message. If a disabled feature had red “disabled” text next to it, the user might build a stronger memory, and might think about how to use that feature more responsibly.

  I think Facebook is the new telephone. As Facebook becomes a part of everyone’s life, Facebook may come under pressure to act like a public utility like AT&T - which is required by law to grant customer rights. It might be good for Facebook to preempt this by developing a more sophisticated and predictable punitive system now.

  Objections to these ideas:

1. The system works now - spam is low. Answer: the system appears to work, but users have a widespread impression that Facebook punishes people arbitrarily. This impression may cause problems for Facebook in the future.

2. Facebook is not a public utility. Answer: when Facebook is as big as Microsoft or Google, people start wanting to make laws about it. When that day comes, it might be good to have a widespread impression that Facebook does an awesome job.

  Thanks for reading this.

  Nathaniel Bluedorn

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