"As Americans increasingly say the biggest threat in the country is coming from each other, is social media only inflaming that conflict? A New York Times/Siena poll of 1,313 registered voters released on Oct. 2 found polarization to be the second-biggest problem facing the country after the economy. Experts and some social media users are pointing out that the division is often amplified on apps like TikTok, Facebook, X and Instagram."
"In a 2018 internal presentation, Facebook, now known as Meta, said its algorithms "exploit the human brain's attraction to divisiveness," according to The Wall Street Journal. "If left unchecked," Facebook would serve users "more and more divisive content in an effort to gain user attention and increase time on the platform." Entrepreneur, podcast host and professor Scott Galloway has spoken out against what he sees as social media apps pushing rage bait."
Polls show polarization ranks among top national problems, with many Americans perceiving threats from each other. Social media platforms such as TikTok, Facebook, X and Instagram can amplify division through personalized recommendation algorithms that prioritize content similar to users' past likes, comments and shares. Creators and users report that controversial, anger-inducing content receives the most views and engagement. Marketing experts warn that platforms favor sensational, attention-grabbing material like crashes and explosions because it delivers immediate dopamine hits. Internal Facebook documents acknowledge algorithms exploit human attraction to divisiveness, potentially serving increasingly divisive content to retain attention and time on the platform.
Read at TODAY.com
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