Patrick Lee Plaisance, Thesis Supervisor Russell Edgar Eshleman, Jr., Thesis Honors Advisor Cynthia J Simmons, Faculty Reader
Keywords:
social media fake news journalism Facebook TikTok algorithm filter bubbles echo chambers confirmation bias selective exposure democracy mental health information overload
Abstract:
Social media algorithms have detrimental consequences that affect both the individual and society. The negative effects result from the algorithmic, personalized, curated news feed on social networks that insulates social media users into filter bubbles with like-minded individuals. Filter bubbles decrease the fundamental notion of the marketplace of ideas and create extremist and polarizing views. Social media algorithms also automatically place users in niche content areas based on engagement and depending on one’s intention or subconscious interest, this has negative effects on mental health.
My work within this thesis contains a literature review of the negative effects of algorithms and the components of those algorithms, such as the inner workings of filter bubbles. The algorithms of the applications Facebook and TikTok are highlighted.
