Students believe social media algorithms reflect who they are, highlighting the importance of playing to your core
Be sure to check out the suggested Huddle question at the bottom of this article to discuss this important topic with your students in class, if you feel it is appropriate.
This week, researchers from Drexel University and George Mason University released the results of a new study about how high school students feel about their social media feeds controlled by algorithms. These feeds show users content that’s likely to interest them based on an analysis of what posts they’ve interacted with in the past rather than chronologically ordering content. The results of the study? Students feel like the content algorithms show them usually does play to their core and reflect their values, personalities, and interests. Students also revealed that when they see posts that don’t resonate with them, they scroll past or press “not interested” to let algorithms know not to show similar posts in the future.
This study is a positive sign that many students know what kind of content plays to their core and how to take charge of their algorithms by engaging with or ignoring certain content to fill their feeds with posts that align with their values. This can be great, as students may see content related to their passions, inspiring them to engage more deeply in those passions. Or, they may see posts of people showing positive values, like acts of kindness or activism, which can encourage students to do the same. However, it can also present challenges for students who are unsure or insecure about who they are. Because algorithms can’t distinguish between uplifting or upsetting posts, they push any type of content students interact with a lot to the top of their feed. This means that if students spend time engaging with posts that make them feel insecure or anxious, the algorithm can unintentionally push content reinforcing these ideas.
As algorithms grow more sophisticated, it is increasingly important for educators to empower students to feel confident in who they are and play to their core online so their feeds stay positive.
The study’s findings: Students enjoy algorithm-based feeds and think the feeds reflect their inner selves
Three technology researchers came together to study how sophisticated social media algorithms affect how students see themselves. They asked a group of students aged 13 to 17 whether they see themselves reflected in their social media feeds and how they react to content that doesn’t speak to them. They found that students think the content in their social media feeds mirrors their identities: posts might fit with their sense of humor, express their opinions, or feature their hobbies. The study also found that when a post is shown to a student that they feel doesn’t reflect their personality or values, this does not cause a student to question their views or why the algorithm showed them the content. Instead, they ignore the post or press “not interested” to avoid seeing similar content in the future. As Nora McDonald, a researcher on the study, explains:
“When personalized content is not agreeable or consistent with their self-image, the teens we interviewed say they scroll past it, hoping never to see it again. Even when these perceived anomalies take the form of extreme content, teens do not attribute this to anything about themselves specifically, nor do they claim to look for an explanation of their own behaviors. According to teens in our interviews, the social media mirror does not make them more self-reflective or challenge their sense of self.”
Understandably, students love how personalized their feeds have become on apps like TikTok and the power they feel to curate a feed that reflects who they are. Personalized algorithmic content makes them feel validated and understood when they see posts that reflect their worldview. Additionally, algorithms cater to their craving for convenience, as they deliver relevant, engaging content without us having to search or filter for it. While we can appreciate algorithms’ upsides, they may also present challenges to students, like affecting their confidence.
For example, imagine a student who is interested in dance but feels self-conscious about their skills. The algorithm may show them more and more videos of experienced or professional dancers as they interact with dancing content. This may feed the students’ insecurities by reinforcing their worry that they are not as talented as other dancers or couldn’t hope to reach others’ skill levels. This example mirrors many students’ experiences: 26% of students report that social media can make them feel insecure.
Educators can help by first building students’ sense of self and confidence in their abilities and strengths. Then, consider empowering students to play to their core online, using algorithms to fill their “for you” pages with content that speaks to positive, authentic parts of themselves. Returning to our dancing example, empowering this student to play to their core involves first building their confidence and helping them understand that just because they aren’t the most experienced dancer now doesn’t mean they won’t grow with practice. Then, it means helping them curate their feed to show beginner dancers, too — not just pros. The student could even begin sharing their experiences learning to dance to encourage others to try it out. By playing to their core online, students can build their confidence and embrace who they truly are.
How to empower students to play to their core and create positive, personalized feeds
When students play to their core online, their social media feeds reflect their true selves and strengths rather than their doubts or negative thoughts. In doing so, they can help build an empowering, positive online culture that celebrates individuality and encourages others to do the same. However, transforming students’ feeds requires both a strong sense of self and a grasp on how to get algorithms to show content that builds them up. Educators can help students navigate this process. Here’s how:
- Encourage positive self-reflection. Guide students in reflecting on their strengths, achievements, and values and setting achievable goals for future personal growth. This can help them build confidence and develop a positive self-image, which are important foundations for students to play to their core online.
- Guide students in deciding the content they want to see. The many factors that shape our identities, including our experiences, opinions, identities, and more, can feel overwhelming. By helping students pinpoint the parts of themselves they’d like to engage with online, we can simplify curating a feed that resonates with them.
- Learn algorithms’ secrets and share them with students. Algorithms can feel confusing and daunting because it’s not always clear how they choose content to show. However, understanding how algorithms work is key to controlling the content they present. For example, recognizing that algorithms consider how long we view a post means quickly scrolling past uninteresting posts, which means seeing less in the future. When educators know how to “game” algorithms, they can empower students to navigate them effectively.
Playing to our core online goes beyond using algorithms to tailor the content on our feeds: it also means representing our values in the content we share with our followers. Students presenting a positive, authentic version of themselves on social media is important as it can mean more professional and personal opportunities and a good reputation. For more tips on empowering students to put their best foot forward while staying true to themselves on social media, check out our lesson, Redefining how we portray ourselves authentically on social media.
#WinAtSocial Huddle Question
Huddle with your students
How do personalized algorithms impact your social media experience? Do you think they improve your experience or introduce challenges that wouldn’t exist with purely chronological feeds or a combination of both?
The Social Institute (TSI) is the leader in empowering students by understanding students. Through #WinAtSocial, our gamified, peer-to-peer learning platform, we equip students, educators, and families to navigate their social world – in the classroom and beyond, online and offline – in healthy, high-character ways. Our unique, student-respected approach empowers and equips, rather than scares and restricts. We incorporate timely topics about social media, tech use, and current events that are impacting student well-being and learning. #WinAtSocial Lessons teach life skills for the modern day, capture student voice, and provide school leaders with actionable insights. Through these insights, students play an essential role in school efforts to support their own health, happiness, and future success as we enable high-impact teaching, meaningful family conversations, and a healthy school culture.