You Are More Than Your Feed: How Social Media Algorithms Shape Gen Z’s Political Identity
You Are More Than Your Feed: How Social Media Algorithms Shape Gen Z’s Political Identity By: Emma O'Connor In a world where social media has become our primary source of news, entertainment, and even political discussion, I sought to understand the extent of the influence these platforms have over what we believe. As a Gen Z college student, I use apps like TikTok and Instagram every day. But what I didn’t realize until I started this project is how little control we have over the content we see and how deeply this affects our political identities. My final project for JN201/NMC100 began with a question: How do social media algorithms influence political polarization? That idea quickly narrowed into something even more specific and personal how these algorithms shape political identity , especially among people my age. From that starting point, I researched how platforms use recommendation systems to keep users engaged, often by pushing content that reinforces their existing vi...