Should Facebook, Twitter reconsider autoplay feature?

[Priyanka]

British MPs have urged social networking sites Twitter and Facebook to reconsider autoplaying videos following an incident where a US reporter along with her cameraman were shot to death while doing a live broadcast, a media report said.

[Mohit Rana]

The autoplay feature on platforms like Facebook and Twitter has been a topic of debate for some time. While it can enhance user engagement and drive views for content creators, it also has drawbacks, particularly when it comes to the automatic playback of videos without user consent. Here are some factors to consider:

1. User Experience: Autoplay can be intrusive and disruptive to the browsing experience, especially when sound is enabled by default. Users may find it annoying to have videos start playing as they scroll through their feed, especially if they're in public or in a quiet environment.
2. Bandwidth Usage: Autoplaying videos can consume significant amounts of data, which can be problematic for users on limited data plans or in areas with slow internet connections. This can lead to increased costs for users and slower load times for content.
3. Accessibility: Autoplay videos can be inaccessible to users with disabilities who rely on screen readers or have sensory sensitivities. They may not be able to control or stop the autoplaying content easily, affecting their overall experience on the platform.
4. Attention Span: While autoplay may increase views for content creators, it doesn't necessarily mean that users are actively engaging with the content. It may artificially inflate view counts without actually capturing the viewer's attention or interest.
5. Platform Reputation: Constant autoplaying of content might lead to a negative perception of the platform among users who value control over their browsing experience. This could ultimately affect user retention and trust in the platform.

Considering these factors, Facebook and Twitter should carefully evaluate the impact of the autoplay feature on user experience, accessibility, and overall platform reputation. They may want to consider providing users with more control over autoplay settings, such as allowing users to opt out of autoplay entirely or giving them the option to enable autoplay only when connected to Wi-Fi. Additionally, platforms should prioritize accessibility features to ensure that all users, regardless of their abilities, can fully engage with the content on their platforms.