Re social media, PW picks Bluesky

At PeaceWorks Kansas City, our mission has always been to foster understanding, connection, and peace in our communities. Social media play a significant role in how we communicate and share our message, but we’ve grown increasingly concerned about the direction of some major platforms. Recently, we made the decision to join Bluesky, a decentralized social media platform that aligns more closely with our values. Here’s why we’re making this shift and why we invite you to join us.

Problem with traditional social media

For years, platforms such as Facebook have been powerful tools for connecting people. However, recent changes in their priorities have raised red flags for us. Facebook’s announcement that it would scale back on fact-checking, coupled with algorithms that seem to prioritize anger, outrage, and divisiveness, has created an environment that often amplifies conflict rather than resolving it. These platforms, controlled by a handful of billionaires, often prioritize profit over the well-being of their users.

At PeaceWorks KC, we believe social media should bring people together, not drive them apart. We began searching for a more peaceful, equitable alternative.

Why Bluesky?

Our search led us to Bluesky, one of the largest decentralized social media platforms. Unlike traditional platforms, Bluesky isn’t owned by a single corporation or individual. Instead, it’s built on a decentralized framework, meaning it’s owned and governed by the people who use it. This structure makes it inherently more democratic, giving users a voice in how the platform operates.

Here are a few reasons why Bluesky stands out:

• Community-driven fact-checking: Bluesky’s users play an active role in maintaining the integrity of the platform. Rather than relying on opaque corporate decisions, the community helps ensure that information is accurate and trustworthy.
• No data mining for profit: Unlike many social media giants, Bluesky doesn’t exploit user data for financial gain. This commitment to privacy aligns with our values of respect and fairness.
• A focus on connection, not conflict: Bluesky’s design encourages meaningful conversations and connections, creating a space where diverse voices can be heard without the algorithmic push toward outrage.
• Decentralized ownership: By distributing control across its user base, Bluesky avoids the pitfalls of billionaire-driven platforms, fostering a more equitable digital space.

Since joining Bluesky, we’ve been thrilled to connect with like-minded individuals and organizations. It’s a vibrant, growing community that shares our commitment to building a better, more inclusive world.

Transition plan

While we’re excited about Bluesky, we recognize that many of our supporters are still active on Facebook. For the time being, we’ll continue posting on Facebook to maintain those connections. However, we’re prioritizing Bluesky as our primary platform moving forward, and we hope you’ll join us there.

Getting started on Bluesky is easy. Simply visit bsky.app to create an account and follow us at our handle, @PeaceWorksKC. You’ll find a welcoming community and a platform that’s designed to uplift, inform, and connect. The URL for PeaceWorks stories on Bluesky is https://bsky.app/profile/pwkc.org.

Call to Action

Social media have the power to shape our world—for better or worse. At PeaceWorks KC, we’re choosing a path that promotes peace, fairness, and community. By moving to Bluesky, we’re taking a stand against the monopolistic control of social media and supporting a platform that puts people first.

We invite you to join us on this journey. Together, we can build a digital space that reflects our shared values and fosters the kind of world we want to live in. Visit bsky.app today, follow PeaceWorks KC, and let’s create a more peaceful online community together.

© Kristin Scheer, 2025, Creative Commons Attribution Share-Alike 4.0 International License. We ask you to join us on Bluesky at https://bsky.app/profile/pwkc.org.