A Nation Divided

As people increasingly rely on social media for political news, they become more vulnerable to believing their political views are not only widely shared but also infallibly correct. This false sense of consensus often solidifies harmful mistruths and makes people more resistant to differing perspectives, further dividing society.

How Social Media Algorithms Shape Political Views

Social media platforms use algorithms to determine what content appears in a user’s feed based on their likes, comments, shares, and previous interactions. While this system is designed to keep users engaged, it also creates an echo chamber—a feedback loop where users are primarily exposed to information and opinions that confirm their existing beliefs.

The Filter Bubble

This phenomenon is often referred to as a “filter bubble.” In a filter bubble, users receive a curated stream of content that reflects their preferences, with dissenting views and alternative perspectives minimized or omitted entirely. This can result in people developing a narrow worldview, believing that the content they see represents the dominant narrative or “truth.”

• Statistic: According to a study from the Pew Research Center, 64% of Americans say that social media has a mostly negative effect on the way things are going in the country, with a significant portion attributing this to political polarization caused by these platforms.

In the context of politics, this can be particularly harmful. When users are repeatedly exposed to content that aligns with their political affiliations, it strengthens their existing beliefs and makes them more resistant to new information or perspectives. Over time, this can polarize users, making it harder to find common ground or engage in meaningful discourse with those who hold different views.

The Role of Media Algorithms in Spreading Disinformation

In addition to reinforcing political affiliations, social media algorithms also play a significant role in the spread of disinformation. False or misleading information often spreads faster than accurate information, particularly when it taps into emotions like fear, anger, or outrage. Social media platforms are designed to amplify content that generates engagement, and disinformation is often more attention-grabbing than nuanced, fact-based reporting.

The Viral Nature of Disinformation

Disinformation campaigns exploit this by creating content that appeals to emotional biases and reinforces existing beliefs. For instance, a sensationalist headline or a misleading meme can be shared thousands of times before fact-checkers can intervene, creating a cycle where falsehoods spread widely and rapidly.

• Statistic: A study published in the journal Science found that false news stories are 70% more likely to be retweeted than true ones, and they reach people six times faster.

Once disinformation enters a user’s social media feed, the platform’s algorithms may continue to show similar misleading content, reinforcing the user’s exposure to and belief in the false information. This can create a dangerous cycle where disinformation becomes normalized and even trusted by individuals who are otherwise uninformed about the facts.

The Illusion of Majority Opinion

One of the most concerning effects of social media algorithms is the illusion of majority opinion. When users are surrounded by content that confirms their views, they can mistakenly believe that their beliefs are widely held by the majority. This can make people feel more confident in their opinions, even when those opinions are based on misinformation or harmful mistruths.

The Conviction Around Harmful Mistruths

For example, individuals who are regularly exposed to disinformation about certain political topics may come to believe that these views are not only correct but also popular. This can increase their conviction in these harmful mistruths, leading to more extreme political beliefs and actions.

• Statistic: A study by MIT found that people are twice as likely to believe false information if they perceive it to be shared by many people in their network, further illustrating the role of social media in reinforcing disinformation.

This illusion of consensus is particularly dangerous because it creates an environment where individuals feel validated in their beliefs, even when those beliefs are based on false or misleading information. As a result, they are less likely to question the validity of their views or consider alternative perspectives, leading to further polarization and division.

The Vulnerability to Disinformation Today

Disinformation has always existed, but today’s media landscape makes people more vulnerable than ever before. Social media platforms are not neutral actors; their algorithms are designed to maximize engagement, even if that means prioritizing sensationalist or false information. This leaves users susceptible to manipulation, particularly when disinformation is framed in a way that aligns with their political affiliations.

The Challenge of Self-Reinforcing Algorithms

One of the key challenges is that social media users are often unaware of how these algorithms shape their information intake. Many believe that the content they see represents an unbiased view of reality, rather than a carefully curated feed based on their own preferences. This lack of awareness makes it easier for disinformation to take hold, as people may not critically evaluate the sources or credibility of the information they encounter.

Moreover, the self-reinforcing nature of these algorithms can create a dangerous cycle. Once a user begins engaging with disinformation, the platform’s algorithms may continue to show them similar content, further entrenching their beliefs and making it more difficult to break out of the echo chamber.

Breaking the Cycle: Steps Toward Media Literacy and Critical Thinking

While social media platforms have taken some steps to combat disinformation—such as flagging false information and promoting fact-checking—these efforts are often too little, too late. To address the problem effectively, it’s crucial for individuals to become more media literate and develop critical thinking skills.

Promoting Media Literacy

Media literacy involves understanding how media platforms function, recognizing biases in the information we consume, and being able to differentiate between reliable sources and disinformation. Encouraging media literacy can help individuals break free from the echo chamber effect and become more discerning consumers of news and information.

• Statistic: A report by the Reboot Foundation found that people with higher levels of media literacy are 50% less likely to believe disinformation, highlighting the importance of education in combating the spread of false information.

Engaging with Diverse Perspectives

Another key step is encouraging individuals to seek out diverse perspectives and engage in dialogue with those who hold different views. This can help break down the illusion of majority opinion and foster a more balanced understanding of complex political issues.

Conclusion

The rise of social media and personalized algorithms has created a landscape where political affiliations are strengthened, and disinformation spreads rapidly. As users become increasingly entrenched in their beliefs and exposed to harmful mistruths, the divide between political ideologies grows wider. To combat this, we must promote media literacy, critical thinking, and engagement with diverse perspectives. Only then can we begin to break the cycle of disinformation and build a more informed, connected society.

-Kaci Smith, LMFT