Social media as a contributor to conflicts in protected areas: experiences, problems, and potential solutions

Abstract

Within two decades, social media has profoundly changed modern society. The various effects of this rapid development are increasingly the subject of interdisciplinary research. For protected areas, the focus has so far been on the possibilities of social media as a means of visitor communication and monitoring. This is an exploratory study identifying case studies of protected areas where visitors’ use of social media has contributed to negative environmental effects. Furthermore, potential measures to address these challenges are provided. Data collection was conducted with a selective review of academic and non-academic literature using a global research framework and EU-wide qualitative email interviews with staff from 44 national parks. The research results were structured using the DPSIR framework of the European Environment Agency. Social media trend-driven mass tourism and dissemination of nature-damaging behaviour via social media appear to be the most pressing issues. To implement conservation measures successfully and ensure long-term conservation goals, protected area management must consider the potential negative effects of social media. As digitisation progresses, the urgency of corresponding studies and measures increases. The enhancement of digital skills and digital visitor guidance by nature conservation actors may help to counteract future negative environmental effects.