Former US President warns of social media dangers, in interview with Prince Harry
Despite admitting concern over the future of the US, Obama, who did not mention his successor Donald Trump by name...
Recommended articles
"One of the dangers of the internet is that people can have entirely different realities," he told the prince, who was guest editing BBC Radio 4's Today programme.
"They can be cocooned in information that reinforces their current biases. Things aren't as simple as they've been portrayed in whatever chat room you've been in," he added.
"The question has to do with how do we harness this technology in a way that allows a multiplicity of voices, allows a diversity of views, but doesn't lead to a Balkanisation of society and allows ways of finding common ground."
ADVERTISEMENT
The interview was recorded in Toronto, Canada, in September on the sidelines of the Invictus Games, the athletic tournament created by Harry for wounded former soldiers.
Despite admitting concern over the future of the US, Obama, who did not mention his successor Donald Trump by name, said he felt a sense of "serenity" on leaving the White House.
"There was a sense that we had run a good race," he added.
On his new routine, Obama told the prince: "I wake up later, it's wonderful to be able to control your day."
The prince opened the discussion by saying: "This is the first interview you've said 'yes' to doing since you handed over the reins", to which Obama replied: "that's true".
ADVERTISEMENT
Harry is due to marry his US actress girlfriend Megan Markle on May 19 at St George's Chapel in Windsor Castle near London.
According to British press reports, civil servants are concerned that a wedding invite from the couple to Obama could cause a further rift between Britain and Trump following a series of high-profile spats.
JOIN OUR PULSE COMMUNITY!
ADVERTISEMENT
Eyewitness? Submit your stories now via social or:
Email: eyewitness@pulse.ng
Recommended articles
MNJTF intensifies operation to eliminate Boko Haram, ISWAP in Lake Chad
756 schools to compete in Anambra sports festival
Residents protest plan to withdraw security from Edo ijaw communities
Gov Sani unveils ₦500m loan scheme for Kaduna workers
Obi salutes Nigerian workers amid countless obstacles and hurdles
Lagos community begs Tinubu to stop Umahi from implementing Lagos-Calabar road design
How we nurtured Anambra UTME candidate to score 324 in JAMB - LG Chairman
FG commences payment of ₦2.7bn to property owners affected by Lagos-Calabar Highway
Kanu, Igboho, Ekpa are paid by foreign countries to cause problems in Nigeria - Seun Kuti
ADVERTISEMENT
![The Senate leadership dissociated itself from this action [Difference Between]](data:image/svg+xml;charset=utf8,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D'http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg'%20width%3D'300'%20height%3D'172'%20data-ring-placeholder%3D'1'%3E%3C%2Fsvg%3E "The Senate leadership dissociated itself from this action [Difference Between]")