By Natalie Gonzalez | November 24, 2024

In today’s day and age, we live and breathe information. We consume it almost constantly. At any given moment, your phone, tablet, or computer is probably buzzing with notifications; news updates, deals and offers, and posts from friends or influencers.

But how often do you stop to ask yourself: Is what I’m seeing real?

Much of what you consume online isn’t random—it’s curated exactly for you.

Behind the scenes, algorithms, marketing strategies, and sometimes questionable motives shape your feed. And understanding how this works is crucial to navigating the digital landscape and separating fact from fiction.

So let’s talk about how algorithms change your feed.

Algorithms determine what you see on social media, tailoring your experience to maximize engagement.

Platforms like Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok use predictive models to deliver content they think will keep you scrolling. These models analyze your behavior: likes, comments, shares, and even how long you hover over certain posts.

This tailored experience may seem helpful, and it may even be sometimes! (i.e. when I’m looking for that one specific thing on Amazon and I suddenly get an ad for it on Instagram after a few Google searches in my browser). But it creates an “echo chamber,” reinforcing your interests and beliefs while filtering out dissenting viewpoints.

For instance, a 2021 study published in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences found that politically polarized users on Facebook were more likely to engage with content that aligned with their views, thanks to the algorithmic prioritization of such posts.

While algorithms can make your experience more enjoyable, they can also amplify misinformation. Content that sparks emotional responses—especially outrage—is more likely to go viral, even if it’s misleading.

Beyond Algorithms: Clickbait Culture and Misleading Media

The internet thrives on your attention, and in many cases, that attention equals revenue.

News outlets, influencers, and marketers rely on click-bait headlines—sensationalized titles designed to grab your attention. Think headlines like: “You Won’t Believe What Happened Next!” or “Doctors Are Shocked By This One Simple Trick!” Or have you noticed that the tiles of your suggested YouTube videos probably have a similar look and feel? It’s because your algorithm knows what you’ll most likely click on.

Clickbait isn’t inherently false, but it often prioritizes emotional engagement over factual accuracy.

This tendency is compounded by manipulated media which has become increasingly convincing in recent years.

In 2022, a study by Pew Research found that 64% of adults felt fake news caused “a great deal of confusion” about current events. Worse still, over half of those surveyed admitted they sometimes shared articles without verifying their authenticity.

And we just can’t have that! Media can be a WONDERFUL resource. So let’s talk about…

How to Navigate the Noise

We get it. It can feel overwhelming to sort through the sheer volume of information and determine which sources are reliable and which aren’t.

But by equipping yourself with tools and strategies, you can become a more discerning digital consumer.

1. Cross-Check Your Sources

If a story seems too shocking or one-sided, look it up on multiple reputable outlets. Credible organizations, like The Associated Press or Reuters, adhere to journalistic standards of accuracy and objectivity.

2. Be Wary of Viral Content

Just because a post has thousands of likes or shares doesn’t make it true. Emotional manipulation (positive and negative) spreads like wildfire online, so always question the intent behind a post that stirs strong feelings.

3. Learn the Markers of Credibility

Look for citations, named sources, and direct quotes in articles. Be cautious of anonymous claims or content that lacks evidence to back it up. Tools like fact-checking websites (Snopes, PolitiFact) can help verify questionable stories.

YOU have the power to shape your digital experience. You decide (by those likes, comments, shares, and hover times) what you see! Are you mindlessly scrolling or are you engaging critically with the content you see?

Challenge yourself to question, research, and seek out multiple perspectives. By doing so, you’ll not only protect yourself from misinformation and misrepresentative content but also contribute to a more informed and thoughtful digital community.

Overall, media (print and digital) can be an incredible resource for informing and connecting our world so let’s commit to a more authentic online experience—one where we don’t just consume but also think.