An article by Dr. Gali Einav and her colleagues under the title:
Bursting filter bubbles in a digital age: Opening minds and reducing opinion polarization through digital platforms
Cite article
Einav, G., Allen, O., Gur, T., Maaravi, Y., & Ravner, D. (2022). Bursting filter bubbles in a digital age: Opening minds and reducing opinion polarization through digital platforms. Technology in Society, 71, 102136.
Following the publication of the article, Dr. Gali Einav shared her insights with us about her study.
"Filter bubbles, a term coined by Eli Pariser, refer to the phenomenon where websites use algorithms to guess the nature of the information that surfers are looking for based on past searches. As a result, surfers are in a "bubble" of opinions similar to their own and are less exposed to opposing views.
The study was built against the background of the growing calls to stop the processes of polarization and extremism in the opinions and the minority of the discourse that were strengthened by the use of digital platforms and social networks. and growing concern about the extent of the filter bubble phenomenon. The consequences are clearly visible in the "real" world in recent years, especially in a political and social context.
We investigated to what extent exposure to a digital platform (internet) which presents two sides of an argument with the help of a special methodology designed to "open avenues of thinking", will contribute to the readers' willingness to refer to an opinion that is contrary to their own. This open-mindedness may penetrate internet filter bubbles, reduce processes of polarization of opinions and promote social change in an era of significant growth in discourse through digital platforms.
We used the methodology of THE PERSPECTIVE, a digital platform that implements a methodology in which two opinions are presented for an argument (3 for and 3 against). 400 participants (200 men and 200 women) were divided into groups according to the number of articles they read that presented opposing views on BLACK LIVES MATTER BLM. The participants were asked after exposure to the articles about their willingness to relate to an opinion that contradicts their own.
The results of the study showed that the group that read five articles, related or not related to racism, were significantly more open-minded towards BLM than the control group that did not read any articles. Those who read five racism-related articles also showed lower levels of extreme views toward BLM than the control group. We have seen that the unique editing of the "Perspective" website increases open-mindedness and reduces polarization of opinions - two global problems driven by the use of digital platforms.
As the use of social networks increases, it is necessary to integrate this type of methodology online. As researchers, educators and entrepreneurs, the possibility of using digital tools to promote social change is very important to us. We hope that the results of the research will be able to promote a more open and less extreme society by reducing the polarization of opinions, encouraging online public discourse and, as a result, creating offline social change in an era of increasing use of discourse on digital platforms" (we recommend that this type of methodology of presenting opinions is contrary to any argument , will be adopted by media, politics and education bodies and also within organizations and workplaces in order to create an opportunity for open and respectful dialogue both between the management and the employees and between the employees themselves."
Abstract
Filter Bubbles, exacerbated by use of digital platforms, have accelerated opinion polarization. This research builds on calls for interventions aimed at preventing or mitigating polarization. This research assesses the extent that an online digital platform, intentionally displaying two sides of an argument with methodology designed to “open minds” and aid readers willingness to consider an opposing view. This “open mindedness” can potentially penetrate online filter bubbles, alleviate polarization and promote social change in an era of exponential growth of discourse via digital platforms.
Utilizing “The Perspective” digital platform, 400 respondents were divided into five distinct groups varying in number of articles reading material related to “Black Lives Matter” (BLM). Results indicate that those reading five articles, either related or unrelated to race, were significantly more open-minded towards BLM than the control group. Those who read five race-related articles also showed significantly reduced levels of holding a hardliner opinion towards BLM than control.
