TNKR Media co-founder Dan Delmar occasionally speaks to classrooms, workplaces, leadership teams and other professional groups on the changing media landscape.
In his latest talk, Social Media Social Panic, 2012-Present, he chronicles his early experiences as a student-journalist in Montréal witnessing early ‘cancel culture’ events on local university campuses, leading to metastasized moral panics that spread like wildfire thanks to AI-boosted social media platforms and the effects these panics have had on the discourse, particularly for professional or business communications. Delmar is a former journalist and political analyst with over 20 years experience in Canadian news media; his commentary centres on free speech, media regulation and Québec-Canada relations.
Here is what to expect from Social Media Social Panic, 2012-Present, available remotely via Zoom. For more information on booking Dan or another media expert, contact us.
Introduction: Mobile News
Dan opens with a reflection on our relationship with devices, from his old BlackBerry to today’s dopamine-driven smartphones. He argues that the very design of our phones primes us for addiction and anxiety, raising the stakes for how we consume news and social media.
Part 1: The Satanic Panic of the Early ’90s
Through the lens of CNN’s early 24-hour cycle, Dan revisits the moral panic that convinced millions satanic cults were everywhere. He explains how mass media warped public perception, a dynamic strikingly similar to today’s algorithm-driven feeds.
Part 2: Today’s Social Algorithms Supercharge Lies
Algorithms reward outrage and exaggeration, not truth. Dan explores how misinformation spreads exponentially times faster than facts, how propaganda campaigns exploit this, and how the new populism thrives in such an environment.
Part 3: Censorship and Solutions
Looking at past panics, Dan contrasts Canada’s measured regulatory fixes in the 1990s with today’s online harms debates. He warns against heavy-handed censorship while making the case for thoughtful governance that balances safety with free expression.
Reflection: Adjusting Our Perception
Closing on a personal note, Dan urges the audience to reflect on how the internet has radicalized them—sometimes positively, often negatively. The fever may be breaking but vigilance is essential.
