Utilizing Web Scraping Technology to Monitor Public Opinion on Environmental Policies

College Of Arts & Science, New York University, 10003, New York, the United States

^* Corresponding author: yc6062@nyu.edu

Abstract

Web scraping, an automated tool for extracting and analyzing large amounts of data from websites and social media platforms, has become an essential practice for researchers and policymakers. This paper examines the application of web scraping technology to monitor public sentiment towards environmental policies. In an age where digital platforms are crucial to public discourse, governments and researchers have increasingly utilised web scraping for real-time sentiment monitoring. This approach presents considerable ethical dilemmas, especially with user privacy and data security. This paper rigorously analyses these obstacles, emphasising concerns such as data integrity, user consent, and adherence to legislation. Contemporary academic methodologies illustrate the technical advantages of web scraping while simultaneously emphasising its ethical quandaries. This study proposes various methods for reconciling the necessity of data access with the safeguarding of user privacy, including the implementation of anonymisation techniques and the formulation of explicit ethical frameworks. The findings highlight the imperative for responsible web scraping to guarantee ethical adherence while optimising its effectiveness in analysing environmental debate.