Rise of reliance on algorithm based platforms, which creates arguments about effect that comes with them. One side thinks that can lead to societal polarization, because of personalized systems, and other side believes that digital platforms is a place where you can easily get different viewpoint. In my opinion, both sides are right, but an important matter is a how an end user will use these platforms and understand them.
At the one hand, algorithms in social media are used to show the user that he will react to. That can lead to effect called “echo chamber”. Echo chamber is an environment in which user encounter beliefs that amplify their already existing beliefs by repetition of liking and following appropriate views and rejection of other. As an example of effect, research done by Rushe in 2022, most X.com (formerly Twitter) users do not show behavior that resembles of an echo chamber. However, through high online activity, small fraction of users create a share of politicians’ followers, thus creating a space with decreased diversive perspectives.
On the another hand, a current digital platforms can offer more chanses to encounter different viewpoints. Personalisation algorithms show consumer appropriate content, which includes encounters for other things that can be liked or other people opinions about that. Those mechanisms ocassionaly will show something not related for liked. For example, on the February 26th, Instagram Reels had begun showing violent videos. Owner of Instagram apologiezed for it and explained incindent as error.
In my opinion, variety of viewpoints depends on end user, engage with contents. To explain further, if people seek or react to new and unknown, they will get one. There is always to fall into echo chamber, but it will require specific situation, such in mentioned research – politics.
To conclude, from my standpoint, a problem for societal polarization can be examined through effect of echo chamber. Although, the way how personalisation works to not close user in one sentiment going to present a new content to a user.