How Social Media Algorithms Fuel Political Polarization
I love fireworks, but one of the best parts of the 4th of July for me is spending it with people from vastly different political viewpoints celebrating life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. Gathering face to face rather than online allows me to appreciate the people I’m with, even if we might not agree politically. It reminds me: people are nuanced, important issues are complicated. Social media loses that.
We’ve been sold the idea that social media connects us. In reality, it divides. The platforms we use every day fuel political division in America. Taking back control over our feeds can reclaim our shared reality and heal our democracy.
Social media's algorithms manipulate what we see and think while its business models optimize for engagement, even if that means amplifying divisive content. Platforms like Facebook don’t just accidentally polarize. They profit from it.
Why Social Media Divides Us More Than Ever
Trapped by Filter Bubbles
Social media doesn’t show us what’s true; rather, it shows us what keeps us scrolling. Filter bubbles isolate us. They tailor our feeds to our past behavior, showing only the posts, people, and pages we’re likely to agree with. The result? We start to believe everyone thinks like we do, or that anyone who doesn’t is “crazy.”
Radicalized by Echo Chambers
Meanwhile, echo chambers reinforce our beliefs, again and again, by shutting out dissenting voices. That repetition radicalizes. What once was a mild opinion becomes a militant worldview based not by what we researched, but because the algorithm fed us more of the same.
Stuck Within Confirmation Bias
Humans naturally seek confirmation; algorithms amplify this by serving more of what we like. A study by the Kellogg School of Management found that within hours of using social media, users self-segregate into ideological silos even if they start out open-minded.
Algorithms favor comfort over challenge and seek engagement over connection. This structure deepens political polarization and blinds us to alternative perspectives.
5 Ways to Break the Algorithms
It's time to use social media intentionally, break out of filter bubbles, escape social media echo chambers, and recognize algorithmic manipulation. Here’s how.
1) Switch to Chronological Feeds
Chronological feeds remove the algorithm’s control over what you see. You’ll still get bias from whom you follow, but not from what the platform wants you to engage with.
✅ What to do:
- Facebook: Click “Feeds” in the left menu > Choose “Favorites” or “Most Recent.”
- Instagram: Tap the Instagram logo > Switch to “Friends” or “Favorites.”
- Twitter/X: Tap the sparkle icon (top right) > Select “Following” for a reverse-chronological timeline.
2) Actively Diversify Who You Follow
Algorithms reinforce what you already like. To break the bubble, you must manually follow voices from across the spectrum.
✅ What to do:
- Follow news outlets and thought leaders from left, right, center, and international sources.
- Add voices from different age groups, regions, racial backgrounds, and professions.
Bonus tip: Create private Twitter/X Lists for “Conservatives I Respect” or “Progressive Thought Leaders.” This lets you check in intentionally without cluttering your main feed.
3) Watch Your Engagement and Don’t Feed the Algorithm
Likes, comments, shares all signal what you want more of. Be intentional with how you show up online.
✅ What to do:
- Avoid Rage-Clicking or commenting just to argue. Otherwise, you’ll train the algorithm to show you more of that content.
- Scroll past sensationalist or extreme content without engaging.
- Save your engagement for thoughtful, respectful posts. This tells the platform, “More of this, please.”
4) Limit Microtargeting and Ad Tracking
The same data used to show you products is used to feed you political content, misinformation, and more.
✅ What to do:
- Reset your ad ID regularly (Mission 1 of Shield Up! Stop the Snoop can help you do this)
- Go to Facebook Ad Preferences > Click "Manage Info" and set privacy dial accordingly
- Opt out of targeted ads via optout.aboutads.info.
5) Have Real Conversations
The goal of breaking the bubble is not to win arguments online. It’s to understand, reconnect, and protect your own mental sovereignty.
✅ What to do:
- Remain curious focusing on “tell me more.”
- Ask real questions grounded in real life: “Where did you hear that?” or “Why do you think that?”
Can We Make Our Feeds Truly Balanced?
Not fully. Algorithms are designed for engagement, not fairness. But you can:
- Reduce their control.
- Diversify your input.
- Limit your vulnerability to manipulation.
The result isn’t perfect balance but it is intentional awareness. Informed democracy thrives on exposure to real voices and real differences. Let’s have our feeds reflect that.
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Down the Rabbit Hole
Curious? Check out my references:
- the facebook files: A Wall Street Journal Investigation
- Facebook Tried to Make It's Platform a Healthier Place. It Got Angrier Instead, Keach Hagey and Jeff Horowitz, WALL STREET JOURNAL, Sept 15, 2021
- The Surprising Speed With Which We Become Polarized Online, KELLOGG INSIGHT, April 6, 2017
- How to Break Out of Your Social Media Echo Chamber, Christopher Seneca, WIRED, Sept 17, 2020
Disclaimer: The above is solely intended for informational purposes and in no way constitutes legal advice or specific recommendations.