In the age of digitalization, social media has become our constant companion. But what if these faithful companions lead us into a world of extremism and misinformation? The secret lies deep in the algorithms that control the flow of information. In this analysis, we examine how social media amplifies extremism and how we as online readers can make our digital journey safer.
Social Media vs. Human Instincts: An Unequal Duel
Humans have a natural desire to learn from others and seek information that contributes to collaboration and collective problem solving. We prefer to learn from those we consider competent and trustworthy.
- Historical Context: Historically, people relied on peers or respected individuals because their information was considered reliable.
- The dilemma today: In the digital world, people can easily impersonate someone else, making it difficult to assess their competence and trustworthiness.
The Mysterious Algorithm: Profit Over Principles
Think of algorithms as invisible conductors that decide what music we listen to. But their choice is often based on advertising revenue rather than our preference for harmony.
- The Engagement Principle: Algorithms prioritize information that increases engagement, even if it promotes extremism.
- PRIME Information: This content, which is considered prestigious, in-group, moral and emotional, dominates our feeds, often without regard to its veracity.
The danger of echo chambers
Repeated exposure to similar views can lead to tunnel vision. This creates an echo chamber in which users only hear what they already believe. This also promotes extremism.
- Consequences: A distorted picture of reality is created and people develop a false understanding of the majority opinions.
The way to combat extremism: More transparency, less illusion
It is time for a change. And that starts with education and awareness about how algorithms work.
- Revealing the secrets: Companies like Meta don't have to disclose every aspect of their algorithms, but simple explanations of why certain content is shown could be helpful.
- Diversity in the feed: Limiting PRIME information can help create a more balanced and diverse information landscape.
Conclusion: Social media is a double-edged sword. While they connect us to the world, they can also lead us into a labyrinth of disinformation. It is crucial that we arm ourselves with the knowledge we need to navigate the digital age safely. Remember: not everything that glitters is gold - and this is especially true when it comes to information on social media.
Also read: WhatsApp 120-day rule: click or kick?
Source:
Press release
Notes:
1) This content reflects the current state of affairs at the time of publication. The reproduction of individual images, screenshots, embeds or video sequences serves to discuss the topic. 2) Individual contributions were created through the use of machine assistance and were carefully checked by the Mimikama editorial team before publication. ( Reason )