Slide Deck 4 Information Democracy Online Platforms The

Slide Deck 4: 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

Data • Social media and search algorithms learn about users through the data they leave behind • Examples of the data stored by search engines include search terms and location data • Data stored by social media can include ‘likes, ’ page views, and interactions • This data reveals a lot about users — more than they might realize

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