Lesson 3 Into the Smart Future
Social Media Algorithms: A Double-edged Sword
Social media algorithms play a huge role in our everyday lives.
They make our lives easier by presenting us with options that we may be interested in.
Algorithms decide which content is shown to us.
They also determine the order of the content that appears on our social media feed.
If we are using an app to watch videos, for example, we may see suggestions for related videos.
These recommendations are not random.
They are based on our previous activity—what we’ve watched or clicked on in the past.
This information is fed into an algorithm, which then decides what we will see.
Social media algorithms are all around us, but they are a double-edged sword that can bring both benefits and problems.
Let’s look at some pros and cons of social media algorithms.
PROS
Algorithms make it easier for us to find the information we need.
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There is a lot of information available on social media.
To find what we’re looking for, we must sort through a lot of irrelevant information.
Algorithms do this job for us.
If we’re trying to decide on an item to buy, for example, they remember which brands we looked at or purchased in the past.
They also show us stories related to topics we’ve clicked on.
If algorithms did not exist, we would have a harder time searching for what we want.
They allow us to spend less time searching and more time enjoying what we’re interested in.
Algorithms help us stay connected to our loved ones and meet new people.
Have you ever noticed that posts from your close friends on social media usually appear at the top?
This doesn’t happen by chance.
It is the work of algorithms.
They keep track of the people we interact with the most on social media.
This allows us to stay in touch with the people we care about.
They can also connect us with new people.
By showing us posts of users who have similar ideas and interests, social media algorithms can help us find or even form communities with people who share the same interests
CONS
Algorithms promote information bias.
Social media algorithms organize content based on our previous activities—likes, dislikes, and search history.
If you like an article or a post, algorithms will show you similar content.
This means they prevent us from discovering information that offers a different point of view.
It causes us to have information bias, or a false sense that what we think is the norm of society.
As a result, our range of knowledge remains narrow and our opinions don’t change.
This is especially dangerous when it comes to controversial topics.
Algorithms can contribute to social media addiction.
As we all know, social media can be very addictive.
It presents us with posts, articles, and information that look important or interesting.
Social media algorithms ensure that we have a continuous stream of content on our screens, which makes it hard for us to look away.
So we end up spending hours and hours online.
Social media addiction is a serious issue for some people.
It can have a harmful effect on their studies, work, personal relationships, and even mental health.
COMMENTS
I think social media algorithms make my life easier.
They help me a lot when I’m looking for songs or movies that suit my taste.
I’ve discovered some of my favorite directors and musical artists thanks to algorithms.
It feels like algorithms know me better than I know myself!
- adorable_ jj
We can’t ignore the negative aspects of social media algorithms.
People share fake news on social media, not paying attention to whether or not the information is accurate.
Fake news spreads rapidly through algorithms and impacts our society. - xoxoxo2013
It is a bad idea to depend on social media for all of our information.
We need to seek out different sources as well, such as books, official news websites, and documentaries.
This will prevent us from having information bias by exposing us to fresh and different perspectives. - chris
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