The concept of the ‘Dark Internet Forest’ stems from tech reflections, particularly Yancey Strickler’s application of Liu Cixin’s dark forest theory to social media, highlighting a collective anxiety regarding the internet’s evolving perilous landscape. Strickler likens the internet to a dark forest where individuals must hide to protect themselves from predatory forces like advertisers and trolls. This anxiety is compounded by context collapse, where communication fails across diverse social groups. The metaphor illustrates the need for psychological safety and genuine connections in online spaces, critiquing mega-platforms for their extractive natures and emphasizing the distinction between personal impact and systemic failures. Ultimately, the text advocates for reimagining online networks to foster healthier interactions, urging a collective responsibility to reshape the public internet as a supportive ecosystem rather than a source of anxiety and harm.
| name | description | change | 10-year | driving-force | relevancy |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dark Internet Forest Theory | A concept describing the internet as a perilous space filled with hidden dangers. | Shift from viewing the internet as a haven to perceiving it as a threatening environment. | In 10 years, online spaces may be more segmented, focusing on privacy and safety due to rising concerns. | Growing anxiety about online privacy and the influence of malicious actors on social media. | 5 |
| Cozyweb vs. Clear Web | The emergence of private, safe online spaces as a refuge from toxic public interactions. | Transition from open, indexed platforms to more private, user-controlled environments. | A stronger divide between public and private online spaces, prioritizing user safety and mental well-being. | Increased awareness of online harassment and the need for safe communication spaces. | 4 |
| Context Collapse Awareness | Acknowledgment of the dangers of context collapse in social media interactions. | Shift from unawareness of context collapse effects to recognition of its harms on individuals. | Greater emphasis on context sensitivity in online communication tools and platforms. | Desire for more meaningful and safe interactions online amid growing mental health concerns. | 4 |
| Global Disparities in Social Media Impact | Recognition that social media harms vary significantly across different global regions. | From a focus on Western social media experiences to understanding global consequences. | Increased accountability and tailored solutions for social media platforms to address global user needs. | Recognition of social justice issues and the need for equitable treatment of all users. | 5 |
| Emergence of Mutual Aid Networks | Growth of community-based support systems in response to online disconnection. | From individualistic online interactions to collective support and mutual aid structures. | A thriving culture of mutual aid and community support online, enhancing resilience and connection. | Increased recognition of the importance of community in crisis and disaster response. | 4 |
| Extraction vs. Collaboration in Tech | Debate on the extractive nature of social media platforms vs. collaborative models. | From extractive practices in tech to a push for more collaborative and ethical systems. | Development of tech platforms that prioritize community well-being over profit extraction. | Growing demand for ethical tech practices and user-centric design in digital spaces. | 5 |
| Decentralization of Online Spaces | A move toward decentralized and user-controlled online environments. | Shift from centralized mega-platforms to decentralized networks prioritizing user autonomy. | Increased diversity in online spaces, with more decentralized options available to users. | Desire for autonomy, privacy, and control over personal data and online interactions. | 4 |
| name | description | relevancy |
|---|---|---|
| Mental Health Impact of Digital Spaces | Widespread anxiety and paranoia linked to the perceived dangers of online interactions and social media. | 5 |
| Exploitation of User Data | The extraction of personal user data by mega-platforms for profit, often leading to harmful consequences. | 4 |
| Context Collapse | The blending of different social contexts in online communication can lead to misunderstandings and reputational harm. | 5 |
| Polarization and Radicalization | Social media ecosystems nurturing extremist content, leading to ideological division and potential violence. | 5 |
| Gendered Online Harassment | Disproportionate targeting of women, particularly women of color, with harassment on social media platforms. | 4 |
| Global Disparities in Content Moderation | Inequities in resources for content moderation leading to severe repercussions in non-Western countries. | 5 |
| AI-Driven Information Manipulation | Generative AI may worsen misinformation and trust issues, complicating online interactions. | 5 |
| Erosion of Public Trust | The manipulation by mega-platforms undermines trust in digital communication and social connections. | 5 |
| Political Misuse of Social Media | Platforms facilitating the spread of propaganda and hate speech, encouraging authoritarianism. | 5 |
| Failure of Tech Accountability | Lack of accountability among tech leaders for decisions that harm users and society. | 4 |
| name | description | relevancy |
|---|---|---|
| Dark Internet Forest Conceptualization | The emergence of the ‘Dark Internet Forest’ as a metaphor for understanding the dangerous and extractive nature of social media environments. | 5 |
| Psychological Retreat into Private Spaces | A growing trend of individuals seeking refuge in non-indexed, non-optimized online spaces for psychological safety. | 5 |
| Collective Action and Mutual Aid | Increased recognition of the importance of collective action and mutual aid networks during crises, highlighting community resilience. | 4 |
| Awareness of Context Collapse | Heightened awareness of context collapse and its damaging effects on communication and social interactions online. | 4 |
| Critique of Mega-Platforms | A critical perspective on how mega-platforms exacerbate social issues and harm marginalized communities globally. | 5 |
| Reimagining Online Spaces | A push towards reimagining online networks as interconnected and human-centric, akin to a healthy forest ecosystem. | 5 |
| Navigating Extractive Systems | The development of strategies to navigate and resist the extractive and predatory nature of social media platforms. | 4 |
| Increased Anxieties About Online Interactions | Growing collective anxiety regarding the safety and authenticity of online interactions, particularly among vulnerable groups. | 5 |
| Desire for Resilient Networks | A desire to build more resilient and supportive online networks that prioritize human connection over profit. | 5 |
| Recognition of Global Disparities | Awareness of the varying impacts of social media on communities worldwide, particularly in non-Western contexts. | 4 |
| description | relevancy | src |
|---|---|---|
| A conceptual framework describing the internet as a dangerous space filled with extractive and predatory behaviors, contrasting with retreat spaces that provide safety and community. | 5 | 9f7c88ab8a6da5de2786464ff5b377ce |
| A technology that creates content based on input data, which can be weaponized by antisocial actors to manipulate social media environments. | 4 | 9f7c88ab8a6da5de2786464ff5b377ce |
| A term for private online spaces, such as invite-only groups and channels, that serve as refuges from the dangers of the public internet. | 4 | 9f7c88ab8a6da5de2786464ff5b377ce |
| The phenomenon where communication intended for one audience is encountered by another, often leading to misunderstanding and social discomfort. | 4 | 9f7c88ab8a6da5de2786464ff5b377ce |
| Platforms that are not controlled by a single entity, promoting user autonomy and community-driven governance as alternatives to current mega-platforms. | 4 | 9f7c88ab8a6da5de2786464ff5b377ce |
| name | description | relevancy |
|---|---|---|
| Dark Internet Forest Concept | A metaphor for the anxiety and paranoia surrounding social media, suggesting it has become a dangerous space akin to a dark forest. | 5 |
| Context Collapse | The phenomenon where communication intended for one group is encountered by another, causing misunderstandings and conflicts. | 4 |
| Gender-Based Online Abuse | Increasingly severe online harassment targeted at women, particularly women of color, on social media platforms. | 5 |
| Impact of Generative AI on Online Spaces | Potential degradation of public internet spaces by antisocial actors using generative AI, affecting trust and interaction. | 4 |
| Global Disparities in Social Media Regulation | The uneven allocation of resources for content moderation across different regions, leading to severe impacts outside the US. | 5 |
| Extractive Structures of Social Media Platforms | The inherent design of social media platforms that prioritize extractive behaviors, contributing to negative online experiences. | 5 |
| Collective Action and Mutual Aid | The importance of human networks and collective action in the face of crises, and the need for supportive online spaces. | 4 |
| Accountability in Tech Governance | The necessity for tech platforms to be held accountable for their role in societal harm and misinformation. | 5 |
| Future of Public Internet Spaces | The need for reimagining the public internet as a safe and inclusive space, rather than a predatory environment. | 5 |
| Human-Centric Internet Design | The push for designing social networks that prioritize human connection and community over profit and extraction. | 4 |