Slide Deck 3 Information Democracy Online Platforms The
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Slide Deck 3: Information & Democracy
Online Platforms • The big information companies that operate online are called platforms • These include search engines, like Google and Yahoo, and social media sites such as Facebook and Snapchat. • Most information comes to us through online platforms • Because they filter most of the information we see, platforms have come to have a lot of power
Algorithms • When you search Google or look on social media, the platform has to determine what results to show you — often from millions of possible options • Platforms do this through computer programs called algorithms • Algorithms decide what results to display by predicting the content you’re most likely to be interested in, based on what is known about you
Algorithms • This is also called ‘personalization’ • Personalization is most noticeable on recommendation engines • An example of this is how Netflix suggests movies and TV shows based on what a user has watched or rated
Filter Bubbles • Algorithms can be helpful, but when it comes to news and information, personalization can be controversial • When users are shown information consistent with what they already like or agree with, it can create filter bubbles • Filter bubbles can prevent new or challenging information from reaching people
Filter Bubbles • When people are in filter bubbles, it can make it more difficult to connect to others who like different things, or have different political views • It can also make people more likely to believe and share false news that agrees with their beliefs
Filter Bubbles & Democracy • Democracy requires citizens to have a shared set of knowledge in order to make informed decisions • When we are in our filter bubbles, it can become hard for us to make decisions in the best interests of society as a whole