Date of Award

5-2024

Degree Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Honors Thesis

Department

Journalism

First Advisor

Tatsiana Karaliova

Second Advisor

Kristen Patrow

Abstract

Trends show that users continue to turn to social media as one of, if not their only, source for news. Compared to how legacy news media gives consumers a comprehensive overview of information, social media platforms’ recommender systems and algorithms repeatedly feed users tailored sets of news, or what can be perceived as news. A systematic literature review found that users can adopt the same biased views reflected on their social media feeds as they are placed into echo chambers or “filter bubbles” of information. While social media offers users the allure of feeling informed almost instantaneously, the accuracy and credibility prioritized in traditional news media can be sacrificed. The lack of exposure to credible information and alternative viewpoints through social media dually filters and fragments society into polarized sectors of views.

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