Living in the Bot Bubble

Social Media algorithms may be enforcing individual biases leading to users living in bot bubbles.

Check out the post from Julia Carrie Wong showing information bias in a visual format using Hoaxy.

In addition to tools like Hoaxy, Botometer gives users a visual into who is actually real versus what information is being spread by bots. Understanding where information comes from is paramount to reducing cognitive bias and spreading false news.

The good news is that people are becoming more and more aware of how false information is spread through the “bot bubble”.

Understanding how to use the tools online that are available for free is the first step in determining whether or not the information is coming from a reputable source or a robot.

It is a simple as plugging in the URL from the news article and hitting the search button to check the source and have a better understanding of the reliability of the information.

Check out this video explaining social media bias created by Indiana University’s data scientist, Filipo Menczer. This shows how Brain, Society, and Bot bias can contribute to the spread of false information.

One good thing to do before going through the hassle of source checking is to critically think about the title versus the content. One of the most prevalent ways of spreading false information is from users sharing links based on how the title makes them feel, NOT the content.

Taking the time to do minimal research can not only help you as an individual but also your group of social connections. Each account on social media connects to others' feeds and false information can spread exponentially if left unchecked. It may sound like a daunting task but in practice, it is as easy as asking yourself the questions, “where is the bot bias” before hitting the share button.

Life in the “bot bubble” can be difficult to navigate. One must first understand that there is such a thing as biases that exist in every social media and online platform. One must also determine how to conduct themselves online after recognizing the existence of these biases and the algorithms perpetuating media biases. Therefore, use the tools at your disposal including but not limited to your own cognitive judgment against the information and opinions that show up in your newsfeeds.

#MCO435

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