Polarized: a yin-yang social media button could help stem the tide of polarization.

• Author: Hogarth, Robin M.
• Position: Social Media

WHAT IF, contrary to popular belief, our experiences in life actually narrowed our perspective rather than broadening it--and, what if, in this digital era, the range of information available to us were shrinking rather than expanding, thereby aggravating the disturbing trends toward political, social, and economic polarization worldwide? Indeed, today we well may be witnessing a new wave in history characterized by snowballing momentum toward greater, deeper divisions. Not only can the lack of consensus lead to U.S. government shutdowns, but conversations around issues such as gun control and immigration reach bitter, protracted stalemates.

The media, with its notorious penchant for left or right and its license to interpret events, often has been cited as a contributor to this polarization process. Naturally, audiences gravitate toward news outlets presenting views closest to their own. It is a fact of life, and there is little, if anything, we can do to control this.

Less known is the extent to which this plays out in the social media sphere. It is much harder to make categorical choices about the content we will stumble upon on Twitter, YouTube, or Facebook. Yet, whether we are aware of it or not, social media is exacerbating the chasms pitting left against right, pro-choice against pro-life, and National Rifle Association supporters against those who campaign for more gun control.

In a world where millions upon millions interact, share views, and learn about the world through these platforms, we assume that the variety of content we receive is exquisitely unlimited. On the contrary: the way we use social networks and the way these networks present us, in turn, with content we are likely to consume produces what author Eh Pariser calls "filter bubbles."

The concept aptly applies to various degrees to all online social networks. These networks quickly learn our preferences when we engage with our friends and connections--who are likely to share our views. When we "like" a post, the network we are using will make sure that we receive similar content in the future, essentially creating an information bubble around us. As The Wall Street Journal has noted, scholars worry that this can create "echo chambers" where users see posts only from like-minded friends and media sources.

To be affected by social media filters and bubbles, users do not even have to engage with the content Matt Honan, a writer at Wired, discovered that, by liking...