In the recent words of Taylor Swift, the simplest way to combat misinformation is with the truth...

Last summer I launched Raise – a non-profit initiative to channel the work I had been doing on ‘social media for good’. This blog reflects on where Raise has taken me over the past year, and looks forward to what lies ahead.

The origins of Raise

Five years ago, I made the decision to apply to be a speaker at a TEDx. I saw that TEDxBristol was looking for speakers and was being organised by some high-profile figures, and I had been part of the Bristol media community for over a decade, so I got in touch. My proposed topic for the talk I wanted to give was the story of how I helped define the concept of social media in the early days. 

The feedback I received from the panel of curators wasn’t great. I didn’t make the cut, and my topic was apparently too positive. They suggested I explore the negative aspects of social media that were emerging in order to balance things out, and they gave me another crack at pitching. ‍

Misinformation, fake news, checks and balances

This feedback took me down a path I had previously avoided, but one I realised needed investigation: that social media isn’t just this brilliant thing that has brought the world closer together and changed how we communicate. I began researching and compiling data on the numerous negative effects that social media was beginning to have on people.

I ended up doing my TED talk (it’s here on TED.com). I looked at misinformation, fake news, the impact of social media on wellbeing, and the ways governments are scrambling to keep up with the speed of innovation from social networks – and the type of content we all see every day. That was five years ago, though. Look where we are today. 

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The road to empowered and responsible social media use

In my speech, however, I also proposed ways that through education, media literacy, and a more balanced approach to technology, we all have the power to make social media better. It’s clear now it’s not in the social media companies’ best interests to do it themselves.

The seed of Raise was planted back then. Armed with my thirst for finding solutions and uncovering problems with online safety on social media, I saw more ways to help make a difference. 

Raise today

Every element in my research since 2019 is now front and centre. You don’t need to look far to see it. Social media has never been more influential, but at the same time, users have never been in greater need of effective protection online.

And this is where Raise comes in. I launched Raise in response to a call that came in last June from a TV producer asking me if I was running a campaign that brought together my views and my work on social media safety. As soon as I launched Raise (thank you to ITV for giving it the airtime!), the floodgates opened. 

Over the last year, I have been fortunate enough to be invited to help with some of the most meaningful initiatives around. I have advised charities and nonprofits, run workshops in women’s prisons on online safety, worked with schools and parents whose children have experienced the negative side of social media, and some of the highest-profile brands I’ve had the pleasure of working with have even pledged to get involved. 

This work I’ve taken on through Raise has come from the one day a week that I spare to do non-client work here at Battenhall. But I’m finding that the more I do, the more there is to do, so my plan for Raise in the year ahead is to open things up even more. 

Raise and the year ahead

This year, Raise – as an offshoot of Battenhall – will be partnering with global organisations that have a vested interest in protecting users on social media. I’ve come to learn that consumer and corporate brands are as committed to this cause as charities, schools, governments and nonprofits. So as well as opening up Raise to new organisations that think we could help, Raise is also opening up to partners and contributors who believe they can contribute too. 

In November, we’ll be hosting our annual, in-person Battenhall event in London, presenting our forecast on the forces that will be shaping social media in 2025. It’s free to attend, and it’s a good place to start if you’re interested in any of the topics I’ve covered in this post. Get in touch if you’d like to receive an invite when registrations open.

After that, Raise will be kickstarting some new projects, working with organisations that have a role in shaping a positive future society. Myself and the core members of the Battenhall team that are helping to run Raise will be delivering advisory sessions, workshops, talks, and executing campaigns that we hope make a difference.

If you feel like this is something that could be transformational in some way to your world, I’d love to hear from you. Email me on hello@raisegeneration.com if you would like to chat about anything, and here’s to the year ahead.