Social media, social isolation and polarisation

Social media, social isolation and polarisation

In recent years, social networks have played an important role in the polarisation process of modern societies and in the development of far-reaching and consequential events (one striking example being the assault on the Capitol in Washington in January 2021). It has been shown that algorithms developed by technological platforms to personalise the information we receive via navigation data have become instruments to control the flow of information and exert an increasing influence on public opinion and on the distribution of information. The risk of removing information that contradicts a user’s points of view, causing their de facto isolation in their own ideological bubble, is known as the ‘echo chamber’18 phenomenon or ‘bubble’ filter. This isolation polarises society and drastically reduces the opposition to and confrontation of ideas as an exercise in cognitive complexity.19 Social isolation has increased during the Covid-19 pandemic and in some cases created the perfect breeding ground for polarised narratives, mindsets and behaviours.20 When individuals, groups or communities do not perceive themselves as fairly represented in the institutions responsible for Covid-related decision-making, social cohesion is undermined and polarisation reinforced.

18- See, for example, Pariser, Eli. (2011). The Filter Bubble: What the Internet is Hiding from You. London: Penguin UK. A recent study on this topic: Cinelli et al. (2020). Echo Chambers on Social Media: A comparative analysis. Based on the definition that “echo-chambers are characterised by the coexistence of two elements: (i) opinion polarisation with respect to a controversial topic, and (ii) homophily in interactions, i.e. the preference to interact with like-minded peers” (p.1), the analysis of empirical data provided “support for the hypothesis that platforms organised around social networks and with news feed algorithms which take into account users’ preferences foster the emergence of echo-chambers” (p.6). https://arxiv.org/pdf/2004.09603.pdf 19- With or without algorithm-driven echo chambers, internet users themselves often replicate the filtering process by ignoring, giving a ‘thumbs down’, or otherwise being rigidly closed to views different from their own. Exposure to alternative perspectives then leads to the strengthening of one’s pre-established views rather than increasing tolerance for a range of viewpoints, while holding on to one’s own values. ‘Confirmation bias’ refers to the human tendency to interpret incoming information as confirmation of existing views; we do not ‘see’, ignore, or dismiss contradictory information. Confirmation bias can express low cognitive complexity, an inflexible, closed thinking style displayed by individuals and groups that is unable to tolerate difference or cooperate with others when there is disagreement. 20- Notably the American QAnon movement that spreads highly preposterous conspiracy theories about political leaders has increasingly gained ground in Europe since the Covid-19 pandemic emerged.