Fake News: Social Media

Filter bubbles occur when information a user searches or views is personalized to what he or she would like to see. This process is by means of sophisticated algorithms that are not always apparent to the user. Facebook and Google searches are good examples.

Let's take Facebook....

When a user likes or dislikes an article or photo on Facebook, algorithms recognize this and personalize information to what the user would like to see. As a result, other information is omitted or does not appear in the feed creating a biased set of results.

The same can be said for Google searches, especially if the search is conducted when a user is signed into their account.

Eli Pariser, the one who coined the filter bubble term, described this in his TED talk comparing two different sets of results for a Google search on BP (British Petroleum). View his talk, Beware Online "Filter Bubbles", in the next tab.

Echo chambers occur when information is augmented and repeated within an enclosed system, such as a news feed or social circle. In a way, they are also linked to filter bubbles because individuals are surrounded by systems, people or information that fit their own beliefs, views, and ideas. 

What's the danger?

When information is repeated and exaggerated among a group of like-minded people, it can become accepted as true. Individuals may fail to challenge or seek out differing points of view to achieve a balanced perspective further reinforcing incorrect information, viewpoints, ideas or beliefs.