We're trapped in the Attention Olympics — and politicians are taking advantage

ABC's publication of Annabel Crabb's article "We're trapped in the Attention Olympics — and politicians are taking advantage" highlights the increasing presence of social media influencers in traditionally formal events, such as the budget lock-up in Canberra. This development means that website owners must be prepared to handle potential increased traffic from social media platforms, as influencers share their analyses and opinions on their sites. Moreover, the blurring of lines between traditional journalism and social media influence may lead to changes in how website owners approach content policies and moderation, particularly if their sites become hubs for discussion and debate on civic issues. To adapt to this shift, website owners can take the following steps: monitor their site's traffic and engagement metrics to identify potential spikes from social media referrals, review and update their content policies to address the unique challenges of hosting discussions on civic issues, and consider implementing AI-powered moderation tools to help manage user-generated content and maintain a constructive dialogue on their platforms.