Stunted Sense of Self: Algorithms on social media create “filter bubbles” which prevent users from being exposed to information that goes against their opinions, stunting self-growth

While handing me my first phone in sixth grade, my parents gave me an ultimatum: “Don’t believe everything you read and see on the Internet.” I didn’t realize the magnitude of that redundant phrase until I saw how tailored the Internet and social media are to users’ interests.

Content filtering may sound like a good thing considering you don’t have to weave in and out of the pictures and videos you’re not drawn to, but it also traps you in a filter bubble — a term coined by Internet activist Eli Pariser in 2010 — which is the idea that we live in a state of “intellectual isolation” due to filters and algorithms on social media and the Internet that only show us specific content based on location, search history and what we interact with on our phones. 

This bubble isolates you from other cultural and ideological viewpoints, resulting in a narrow outlook and a closed mindset to ideas outside of your filters — and it’s toxic and restricting. When the Internet is only feeding people what they’re interested in, it ultimately stunts the growth of finding your own authentic identity.

Platforms like TikTok base the videos on your feed on what you search, like, share and comment on so we end up only seeing content that is catered toward our own likes, beliefs and opinions. This explains why my ForYou Page is full of “healthy day-in-the-life” videos and trendy fashion advice because they’re what I interact with the most. Then again, this causes me to only see ideal lifestyles rather than the flaws that people hide from social media. These filters trick me into thinking I have to emulate these influencers and strive for perfection.

This algorithm is almost unavoidable. It’s built into countless apps, websites and search engines, from Google to Facebook to Twitter. However, avoiding the algorithm gatekeepers of the Internet is difficult, but not impossible. Private search engines and actively seeking out opposite stands are ways to slowly pop your cozy bubble. 

Democracy requires everyone to be equally informed. However, filter bubbles distort our ideas and opinions — down to the way we perceive the world. Biased search rankings can shift the voting preferences of undecided voters by 20% or more, according to a paper by Jacob N. Shapiro for Princeton University that. The manipulation of these search engine companies can influence the results of a substantial number of elections with impunity.

The chokehold this ideological frame has on people is causing the full story of most scenarios to not be heard or seen. Confirmation bias — choosing to see what you want to see because they support your opinions —  ties into how people look for information that supports their cause rather than contradicting it. Being separated from conflicting opinions keeps us from potentially discovering information, opinions and ideas we may never have imagined.

A social media site may hide posts from people with different viewpoints or a news site may link articles that you think you’ll agree with based solely on your filter bubble. The algorithm doesn’t ask for permission or tell you what information they’re hiding from you. It’s present in every corner of the Internet.

When people are led to think they have the full story on a specific topic, they can’t make an educated judgment or discuss facts with a fully informed view.

Seeking out new sources and perspectives is key to creating your own opinion that isn’t biased towards the bubble you’ve been placed in. The next time you’re scrolling through social media, remember that you’re only seeing one side of the story.