Social media is deeply ingrained in American culture at this point, and it is not going anywhere. Modern society needs to appropriately consume this news to avoid promoting irresponsible, or otherwise incorrect, narratives.
There are plenty of good sources producing accurate content on social media platforms, but even when viewing those, people are running the risk of becoming ideologically siloed by an algorithm.
According to the Dec. 3 research study, “Young Adults and the Future of News,” conducted by the Pew Research Center, unlike older generations, individuals under the age of 30 are significantly more likely to get their news from social media. Furthermore, young adults are much more likely to get their news coverage from a news influencer.
In this case, influencers are described as individuals with a large social media presence who use their platform to discuss news, politics or social issues. Nearly four out of 10 individuals under the age of 30 receive their news content from a news influencer. Often, these “news influencers” aren’t formally educated in proper journalistic etiquette, leading to the unnecessary spread of misinformation, whether intentional or not.
Admittedly, while reputable and unbiased online news websites exist, and engaging with several different ones is a healthy way to seek unbiased content, these sources can exist behind a hefty paywall. Social media is often a cheaper, shorter alternative.
Social media engineers want to keep users hooked on their app. According to the Associated Clinic of Psychology, algorithms are designed to promote engagement with content that is emotionally-stimulating. This often appears as sensationalized stories.
It makes perfect sense that the producers of these apps would tailor their apps in this way to maximize viewership and advertising revenue, but it presents a danger to the viewer base that needs to be addressed.
Especially with younger audiences who primarily get their news from these social media apps, news comes from a feed that is intended to make them feel connected, agreed-with and vindicated. If you like and comment on a few posts that pertain to a similar ideology, you may have similar content pushed your way, and so on and so on.
There is nothing wrong with engaging with this type of content, but it is irresponsible to source your information on a topic with an algorithm designed to spoon-feed you with talking points that already agree with your active viewpoints.
If the goal is just to relax and scroll, engaging with content that feels safe and connected, that is completely fine. But, if the intent is to be a civically-involved individual, get away from your “for you” page—at least occasionally.
The best choice is to do separate research and stay engaged by reading well-respected publications, but properly using social media as a tool is not far behind. If interested or debating about a topic, search for the terms and look through sources you haven’t seen yet. Sure, plenty of them will end up duds, but you may find researchers who better back your point or expose you to viewpoints you had not even considered yet.
It is important to challenge each other ideologically almost as much as it is important to question those in power, as long as it is done respectfully. What is more important, though, is challenging yourself.
