OPINION — Many of us spend time on online platforms watching news, current events, history, health information and other topics that interest us. They are remarkable sources of knowledge. But there is one question worth asking: Are these platforms showing us the world — or simply showing us what keeps us watching?
These platforms are designed to recommend content that holds our attention. Videos that stir fear, anger, outrage or surprise often generate more clicks, so the system tends to offer us more of the same.
Psychologists have identified several ways this can influence our thinking. Mean World Syndrome describes how repeated exposure to negative stories can make the world seem more dangerous or divided than it really is. Availability bias causes us to believe events are more common simply because we see them repeatedly. Confirmation bias encourages us to accept information that supports our existing beliefs, while echo chambers limit our exposure to different viewpoints.
