Obama in Glasgow warns on social media, extremism

Barack Obama told a crowd of 12,150 people at the OVO Hydro in Glasgow that a drift towards extremism is "not inevitable" BBC.

He made the remarks during a conversation with British journalist and author Sathnam Sanghera. The Glasgow appearance was one of three speaking dates in the UK. He had already spoken in Belfast and was due to appear in Manchester on Thursday night.

Obama said online platforms had shifted in recent years to focus on content that stoked anger and fear. He contrasted that with his own view during his 2008 presidential campaign, when he had seen social media and technology as a beacon for hope.

He said the same tools that could mobilise people around democracy or human rights could also be used by hate groups. In his description, social media "connected people for good, but also for ill" BBC.

He said there must be a "critical balance" between free speech and regulation. He did not set out what that balance should look like in practice.

Obama was the 44th president of the United States and held office until 2016.