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What role do social media platforms play in perpetuating political polarization?

Kaaren Scudders

Social media platforms, like Facebook and Twitter, are places where people can connect with each other and share information. Unfortunately, social media can also contribute to political polarization- which means that people become more and more divided about political issues.

Here are some ways that social media can make political polarization worse:

- People tend to follow accounts and pages that agree with their own views. This means they see a lot of information that reinforces what they already believe, and they might not see other viewpoints as often. This can make it harder for people to understand why others have different opinions.
- Social media algorithms can show people content that is more likely to make them emotionally charged or upset. This can make people more likely to engage with the content (by commenting, liking, or sharing it), which can cause the platform to show the content to even more people. This can lead to a cycle where extreme or divisive content becomes more and more popular.
- People can use social media to "echo chamber" themselves- which means they only interact with people who already agree with them. This can make it harder to see other viewpoints, and can make people more likely to believe in extreme or false ideas.

Of course, social media isn't the only factor that contributes to political polarization. But because these platforms are so influential, it's important to think about how they might be shaping our political opinions.

As a user of social media, there are a few things you can do to help combat political polarization:

- Try to follow accounts and pages that challenge your own viewpoints. This can help give you a more well-rounded understanding of the issues.
- Don't engage with divisive or emotionally charged content. If something is making you feel upset or angry, take a break from social media until you've calmed down.
- Be open to hearing other people's views, even if you don't agree with them. You might not change your opinion, but talking to others can help you understand their perspective.