Communications in Humanities Research ISSN: 2753-7072
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Research Article

The Advantages and Disadvantages of Internet Platform Algorithms Promoting Personalized Recommendations – From the Echo Chamber to the Deep Impact of Ideological Polarization

Xuzhou YanSyracuse University*

* Corresponding author: [email protected]

Abstract

The convenience of society has increased significantly with the development of the Internet and social media. Nonetheless, it has also contributed to the rapid spread of information and the intensification of opinion polarization. This paper investigates how personalized recommendation algorithms can contribute to the further polarization of users' views through information filtering, the echo chamber effect, and the spiral of silence mechanism. The findings presented in the research indicate that when participants encounter information that contradicts their existing beliefs, rather than adopting a more neutral stance, they tend to strengthen their initial viewpoints. At the same time, ordinary users chose to remain silent for fear of online harassment, allowing extreme voices to dominate the network. This paper concludes that personalized recommendation algorithms enhance user experience, limit exposure to multiple viewpoints, and exacerbate social fragmentation. To tackle this issue, it is advisable for individuals to enhance their media literacy and proactively interact with a variety of viewpoints. Additionally, platforms and policymakers ought to modify their algorithms to facilitate the spread of diverse information, thereby fostering a more transparent communication landscape

Keywords: Personalized recommendation algorithms; Information filtering; Echo chamber effect; Spiral of silence; Media literacy
Published: January 9, 2025
DOI: 10.54254/2753-7064/2025.19616
Volume: CHR Vol.62
pp. 46-51
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