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Trapped in Social Media – News Consumption in the Digital Age
If you were to ask your parents where they got their news when they were your age, they would likely mention TV, radio, and newspapers first. Today, in 2020, 25 years after the advent of the internet, it's probably no exaggeration to say it has become an indispensable part of our daily lives and the center of news consumption.
As grateful as we are for the conveniences the internet brings to our lives, we must be equally aware of its downsides. Let's dive deep into this topic with our student union!
What is the Internet?
The internet is a service created at the end of the last century, intended to change the world. It was meant to overcome social, ideological, and economic differences, provide complete freedom of information, bring knowledge and culture to everyone, and be the miracle weapon of democracy. The world saw it as an opportunity to bring peace and prosperity to Earth, connecting men and women, the old and the young, the rich and the poor. Many may not realize it, but the truth is, the internet was not originally designed for everyday use and communication. It was born for military purposes and only became available to civilians in its current form in the early 1990s.
The Rise of Social Media and News Consumption
While many people were biting their nails over the Y2K bug, the year 2000 was more interesting for the emergence of social media. The traditional one-way mass communication – where we could only listen to the news on TV without reacting – was replaced by a new medium where we can create content, comment on others' work, and share it. Social media's dominance transformed the culture of news consumption: platforms like Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube created a communication space where users could showcase their creativity and talent.
News Consumption and the Opinion Bubble
While the above paints a beautiful future, we pay a price for this well-being. Not only do we gather information from the internet, but it also learns more and more about us. Algorithms observe what we search for, click on most often, like, comment on, where we spend time, and in a word: what interests us. It might not be a big secret that Facebook, Instagram, etc., aim to keep us on their platforms as long as possible. To achieve this, they need us to feel good and receive positive reinforcement of our worldview, so social media shows us what it ASSUMES we want to see.
This creates our own personal online world – known as an opinion bubble. What’s in this bubble depends on who we are and what we do. But the thing is, we don’t decide what goes into it. And more importantly, we don't really see what is left out of it.
Why is This Dangerous?
Imagine a world where you only encounter your own standpoint! Where there are no differing opinions or worldviews because the online space only echoes your beliefs. Where there is no room for debate or healthy dialogue since these cannot occur in the absence of opposing views. Where alternative realities build walls between us and fuel hostility. This is a place where people shut themselves into their bubble of interests in blissful ignorance, and those who don’t feel the need to break out of it may never recognize all this.
Think about how much knowledge, experience, and adventure are waiting to be discovered! It’s okay to get informed from social media, but do it consciously: read a lot, from as many sources as possible! Don’t be afraid to get to know the opposite of your own beliefs! Be open and initiate debates! Treat new viewpoints with tolerance! And finally: never say no to new knowledge!
If you want to expand your knowledge with practical experience, click and check out our current student job opportunities!
