Research website by Zach Griffin.
Have you noticed that your social media homepage is completely different from someone you know? Have you noticed that you receive different results on Google when two different people search the same thing? Have you noticed that if you post something political, only the people that agree with you will see it? This is all because of algorithms. Over the past five to ten years, the internet has shifted from a place to genuinely connect with friends into one where tech companies design your experience to capture your attention and keep you scrolling for as long as possible.
According to Oxford Languages, there are two ways to define an algorithm. The first is “a process or set of rules to be followed in calculations or other problem-solving operations, especially by a computer.” While this is a scientific definition, it is not relevant to this topic. The second definition is much more relevant, being defined as “a data-tracking system in which an individual’s internet search history and browsing habits are used to present them with similar or related material on social media or other platforms.” Essentially, these platforms keep track of what you watch, what you search for, and how long you engage with certain content in order to tailor your social media experience to what they think you want to see.
While this sounds harmless and potentially helpful, it creates a whole range of issues: The four topics I will be covering include: