Small feed changes on X boost political polarization.
A week of political content on X can shift views as much as three years normally would.
Why it matters
- Shows how social media algorithms can significantly influence political views and division in a very short time.
By the numbers
- Over 1,000 users participated in the study.
- Affective polarization increased by the equivalent of three years in just one week.
- 8 in 10 American adults believe Republicans and Democrats can't agree on basic facts.
- More than half of people in the UK see political differences as dangerous for society.
The big picture
- Social media platforms like X have a powerful influence on political polarization.
- Small changes in the feed can have significant effects on users' feelings towards the other side.
- Reducing divisive content could decrease political animosity.
What they're saying
- Some suggest that people should get off social media entirely.
- Others point out that this isn't a new phenomenon, referencing Cambridge Analytica.
Caveats
- The study was conducted during the 2024 US presidential election, which might have influenced the results.
- Most users didn't notice the changes in their feed, but the effects were still significant.
What’s next
- It would be interesting to see if social media platforms take steps to reduce divisive content, even if it might reduce engagement.