Create an outline of an essay about Social Media and Political Polarization. Listed below are several sources that can be used along with their summary. You don't have to use all of them, but include the ones that can be fit neatly into your outline.
1. Amazon algorithms promote vaccine misinformation, UW study says | The Seattle Times
Amazon and vaccine misinformation: A study by University of Washington researchers found that Amazon’s search algorithm and recommendation system promote products and books that spread false claims about vaccines and health.
Impact of misinformation: The study warns that vaccine misinformation on Amazon could undermine public trust in the COVID-19 vaccination campaign and endanger public health. It also criticizes Amazon for providing a platform for anti-vaccination conspiracy theories and pseudoscientific products.
Amazon’s response: Amazon says it provides customers with access to a variety of viewpoints and has policies that outline what products may be sold in its stores. It also added a banner linking to the federal government’s fact page on COVID-19 vaccines above search results.
Previous actions by Amazon and other platforms: Amazon has previously removed some products and books that promote vaccine misinformation after pressure from lawmakers and media. It also recently banned products that promote neo-Nazi views and QAnon conspiracy theories. Other platforms like Facebook, Twitter, Google and YouTube have also taken steps to reduce the spread of health misinformation on their sites.
2. Social media's role in America's polarized political climate - 60 Minutes - CBS News
Social media and anger: The document argues that social media platforms like Facebook and Twitter are not just reflecting the polarization in society, but also creating it by rewarding the most inflammatory and divisive content.
The impact of social media: The document cites a study that shows that attacking political opponents on Twitter increases the odds of retweeting by 67%. It also gives examples of how social media platforms have influenced public discourse, academic freedom, and political aspirations.
The need for reform: The document features interviews with Tristan Harris, a former Google employee and co-founder of the Center for Humane Technology, and Jonathan Haidt, a social psychologist and professor at NYU. They both call for stricter regulation, transparency, and accountability of social media platforms, as well as individual responsibility to avoid engaging in online battles.
3. How tech platforms fuel U.S. political polarization and what government can do about it | Brookings
Social media and polarization: The authors argue that platforms like Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube exacerbate political polarization in the U.S. by promoting divisive content that maximizes user engagement and profits.
Facebook’s denial and resistance: The authors cite Facebook’s public statements and internal documents that show the company’s reluctance to acknowledge and address its role in stoking divisiveness. They also criticize Facebook’s lack of transparency and accountability.
Recommendations for reform: The authors propose that the social media companies should make permanent algorithmic changes to reduce the flow of harmful content, disclose how their systems rank, recommend, and remove content, and comply with a social media code of conduct enforced by the Federal Trade Commission.
4. Social Media, Echo Chambers, and Political Polarization (Chapter 3) - Social Media and Democracy (cambridge.org)
Social media and January 6 insurrection: The House Select Committee and federal prosecutors are investigating the role of social media platforms like Facebook and Twitter in the mob attack on the U.S. Capitol.
NYU report on polarization: A report by the Center for Business and Human Rights at NYU’s Stern School of Business examines how social media platforms exacerbate political polarization and threaten democracy in the U.S.
Facebook’s denial and evidence: Facebook’s Mark Zuckerberg and Nick Clegg have dismissed the idea that their platform contributes to divisiveness, but a growing body of social science research and leaked internal documents indicate otherwise.
Algorithm design and consequences: Social media platforms use popularity-based algorithms that tailor content to maximize user engagement, which increases polarization and anger among users. Facebook has made temporary adjustments to reduce incendiary content, but has resisted permanent changes that would hurt its profits.
5. Feeling displeasure from online social media postings: A study using cognitive dissonance theory - ScienceDirect
Social media and heterogeneity: The authors examine how social media users perceive and react to heterogeneous opinions on online platforms. They argue that exposure to heterogeneity can cause psychological discomfort and influence users’ behavior.
Selective exposure and affective behavior: The study shows that users tend to avoid or hide posts that contain opposite opinions, or try to persuade the poster to reduce their discomfort. These behaviors are less common than selective exposure and influenced by individual traits.
Individual characteristics and opinion polarization: The study examines how individual characteristics, such as personality and partisanship, affect the perception and behavior of users on social media. It suggests that some traits may facilitate heterogeneity and dissonance reduction.
Practical implications: The study implies that social media use can cause psychological discomfort and loss of well-being for users who encounter heterogeneous opinions. It recommends that social media platforms provide functions to help users reduce their exposure to heterogeneity and maintain their service quality.