The Endless-Cycle of Social Media | Kaitlyn Don | TEDxLAHS

Summary

Caitlin, a high school sophomore and founder of an Ethics and Social Media club, shares her journey from gullibility to critical thinking, spurred by a debate on animal experimentation. She highlights the challenge of discerning reliable information in the digital age, citing a Stanford study and the deceptive nature of some websites. Caitlin discusses the impact of algorithm-driven filter bubbles on social media, particularly TikTok, and the broader implications for society. She emphasizes the importance of understanding multiple perspectives, cross-checking evidence, and taking proactive steps to form well-informed opinions to combat misinformation and polarization.

Takeaways

• 😀 Caitlin is a high school sophomore who started an Ethics and Social Media Club.
• 🔍 She admits to being gullible and having an innocent view of reality, which was challenged by her first debate topic on animal experimentation.
• 🧐 Caitlin's first awakening to the difference between reliable and unreliable information came during a debate class when she found her key evidence was from a Star Trek fandom website.
• 📊 The Stanford History Education Research Group found that about 67% of Americans still get confused by fake news, highlighting the difficulty in discerning credible sources.
• 🎓 Even highly educated students struggle with determining the credibility of websites, as shown by a study where only 6% of college students and 9% of high school students correctly assessed minimumwage.com.
• 🌐 The script discusses the concept of reinforcement bubbles or filter bubbles, which are intellectual isolations created by algorithms that selectively assume information about users and provide content accordingly.
• 📈 Social media platforms, like TikTok, use sophisticated algorithms to personalize content, which can lead to users becoming addicted and trapped in their own interests.
• 🏢 The TikTok algorithm was created by a Chinese company called ByteDance, which is now selling its AI technology to other businesses, competing with tech giants like IBM, AWS, Microsoft, and Google.
• 🌍 Personalized algorithms affect our world by curating content to our tastes, which can lead to radical extremism and political division due to the reinforcement of existing beliefs.
• 🤔 Caitlin suggests that to combat this, we should understand all sides of an issue, research thoroughly, engage in conversations, and cross-check evidence to form informed opinions.
• 💪 She emphasizes the importance of being proactive in seeking out information and breaking out of reinforcement bubbles to make informed decisions and change the world.

Q & A

Who is Caitlin and what is her current educational status?

Caitlin is a high school sophomore who has started an Ethics and Social Media Club at her school.

What was Caitlin's first debate topic and how did it lead to her first awakening about information reliability?

Caitlin's first debate topic was animal experimentation. Her first awakening about the difference between reliable and unreliable information came when she found an article from a 'Star Trek' fandom website, which she initially thought was a key piece of evidence for her debate.

According to Caitlin, what percentage of Americans get confused by fake news?

Caitlin mentions that about 67% of all Americans still get confused by fake news, as per a study conducted by the Stanford History Education Research Group.

What was the website that both high school and college students found difficult to assess for credibility?

The website that both high school and college students found difficult to assess for credibility was minimumwage.com.

What is a reinforcement bubble or a filter bubble?

A reinforcement bubble or a filter bubble is the intellectual isolation that occurs when websites use algorithms to selectively assume information about its users and then provide information back to the users according to these assumptions.

How does the TikTok algorithm work to keep users engaged?

The TikTok algorithm takes into account which posts users like, comment on, and share, the hashtags and descriptions in comments, as well as the 'not interested' feedback from users. Most importantly, it considers the number of seconds users spend watching each video to personalize content and keep users addicted.

Which Chinese company created the TikTok algorithm and what is its new division called?

The TikTok algorithm was created by a Chinese company called ByteDance. Their new division is called Byte Plus, which focuses on altering the algorithm to better fit other companies' needs and selling this AI power technology to businesses outside of China.

What is the role of recommender systems in news websites like BBC and CBC?

Recommender systems in news websites like BBC and CBC are used to provide content that will engage users the most, pushing them further into their filter bubbles by giving them information that they would like to see.

Why are reinforcement bubbles created by news websites considered alarming according to Caitlin?

Reinforcement bubbles created by news websites are considered alarming because they can create radical extremists who are not willing to change their opinion, leading to people becoming more blind to the realities of the world and contributing to tense political divisions.

What solution does Caitlin propose to deal with the issue of reinforcement bubbles and fake news?

Caitlin proposes that people should seek a deeper understanding of each issue by researching both sides of an argument, starting with trusted sources. She also emphasizes the importance of having conversations about different issues and cross-checking evidence to ensure it is not false information.

What is the key message Caitlin wants to convey in her speech?

Caitlin's key message is the importance of seeking out one's own evidence and making informed opinions instead of blindly believing anything we read. She encourages people to be proactive in seeking information and to pop the reinforcement bubbles they have been placed in.

Outlines

00:00

😲 The Awakening to Reliable Information

Caitlin, a high school sophomore, introduces herself and her journey with the Ethics and Social Media Club. She recounts her first debate on animal experimentation, which led to a pivotal moment when she discovered her key evidence was from a 'Star Trek' fan site. This experience taught her the importance of distinguishing between reliable and unreliable information. Caitlin highlights a study by the Stanford History Education Research Group, which found that a significant portion of Americans struggle with discerning fake news. She emphasizes the difficulty of this task, even for highly educated individuals, using the example of a website that appeared credible but was actually a front for a public relations firm.

05:03

🌐 The Impact of Algorithms on Perception

The script delves into the power of algorithms, particularly those used by social media platforms like TikTok, to create reinforcement bubbles. TikTok's algorithm is highlighted for its ability to quickly identify and cater to user interests, potentially leading to intellectual isolation. The script discusses ByteDance, the Chinese company behind TikTok, and its new division focused on selling AI technology to businesses globally. The widespread personalization of online content, including news from reputable sources like the BBC and CBC, is shown to contribute to the formation of filter bubbles. This phenomenon is linked to political division and the rise of radical extremism, as people become less open to diverse viewpoints.

10:03

🔍 Breaking the Bubble: Seeking Truth and Understanding

Caitlin concludes by advocating for proactive measures to counteract the effects of reinforcement bubbles. Drawing from her experience as a debater, she stresses the importance of understanding all sides of an issue. She suggests starting with trusted sources to learn the history of topics and engaging in conversations and reading opinion articles to expose oneself to different viewpoints. Caitlin also emphasizes the need to cross-check information and maintain a healthy skepticism towards all sources, urging individuals to form their own opinions based on factual evidence rather than blindly accepting information.

Keywords

💡Ethics

Ethics refers to the moral principles that govern a person's behavior or the conducting of an activity. In the video, the speaker mentions starting an 'Ethics and Social Media Club,' indicating a focus on the moral implications of social media use, which is central to the theme of discerning right from wrong in digital spaces.

💡Screenager

A 'screenager' is a term used to describe someone, particularly a young person, who spends a significant amount of time in front of screens, such as computers or televisions. The speaker identifies as a 'screenager,' setting the context for discussing the impact of screens and digital media on modern reality and the challenges of navigating information therein.

💡Debating

Debating is a form of public discussion or argumentative dialogue that typically involves a formal contest of knowledge, skills, and abilities. The speaker's experience in debate classes, starting with the topic of 'animal experimentation,' is pivotal as it led to her first realization about the importance of reliable information sources.

💡Reliable Information

Reliable information refers to data or facts that can be trusted as accurate and true. The video discusses the speaker's 'first awakening' to the difference between reliable and unreliable information, emphasizing the need for critical evaluation of sources, which is a key theme in the video.

💡Fake News

Fake news denotes false information or propaganda published under the guise of being authentic news. The video highlights the prevalence of confusion caused by fake news, with statistics showing that a significant portion of Americans struggle to discern it, illustrating the challenges in identifying trustworthy information.

💡Filter Bubble

A filter bubble is a phenomenon in which algorithms selectively assume information about users and then feed them information that confirms their existing biases. The video discusses the creation of 'reinforcement bubbles' by social media platforms, which contribute to intellectual isolation and echo chambers, a central issue in the narrative.

💡Social Media Algorithms

Social media algorithms are sets of rules used by social media platforms to curate and rank content for individual users. The video specifically mentions TikTok's algorithm, which is designed to keep users engaged by learning their interests and preferences, exemplifying how algorithms can contribute to the formation of filter bubbles.

💡ByteDance

ByteDance is a Chinese technology company known for creating TikTok, among other platforms. The video discusses ByteDance's advanced algorithm and its potential implications for the global tech industry, as the company begins to sell its AI technology to other businesses, indicating a shift in how algorithms influence our digital experiences.

💡Recommender Systems

Recommender systems are algorithms that suggest content to users based on their preferences and behaviors. The video mentions the BBC and CBC using such systems, which, while designed to engage users, can also contribute to reinforcing filter bubbles and limiting exposure to diverse perspectives.

💡Political Division

Political division refers to the state of having differing opinions and beliefs, often leading to conflict or disagreement within a society. The video connects the creation of filter bubbles with increased political division, suggesting that the lack of exposure to diverse viewpoints can lead to polarization.

💡Unbiased Opinions

Unbiased opinions are perspectives that are free from personal prejudice or favoritism. The speaker, as a debater, strives for such opinions by researching both sides of an argument, which is presented as a solution to overcoming the limitations of filter bubbles and forming well-informed viewpoints.

Highlights

Introduction of Caitlin, a sophomore in high school and founder of the Ethics and Social Media Club.

Caitlin identifies herself as a screenager, reflecting on the impact of modern technology on her generation.

Recalling her first debate class in fifth grade on the topic of animal experimentation.

The pivotal moment when Caitlin discovered the importance of reliable sources in her debate research.

Misidentifying a Star Trek fandom website as a credible source, leading to her first realization about misinformation.

The challenge of discerning reliable information, even after years of practice, highlighted by Caitlin's experience.

Citing a study by the Stanford History Education Research Group on the prevalence of confusion around fake news among Americans.

Discussing the difficulty in assessing the credibility of a website, minimumwage.com, even among educated students.

Revealing that minimumwage.com is actually owned by a public relations firm, not a non-profit as it claims.

Exploring the concept of reinforcement bubbles or filter bubbles created by algorithms on social media platforms.

Describing TikTok's algorithm as highly effective in personalizing content and potentially addictive.

Mentioning a Wall Street Journal study where TikTok's algorithm quickly identified the interests of bots.

Introducing ByteDance, the Chinese company behind TikTok, and their advancements in AI technology.

ByteDance's new division, Byte Plus, aims to sell AI technology to businesses outside of China.

Highlighting the competition ByteDance poses to major tech companies like IBM, AWS, Microsoft, and Google.

Discussing the impact of personalized content on the world, including the BBC's use of recommender systems.

The concern that filter bubbles can lead to radical extremism and political division.

Caitlin's approach to understanding issues by researching both sides, inspired by her experience as a debater.

The importance of seeking diverse opinions and cross-checking evidence to avoid misinformation.

Encouraging proactive information seeking and critical thinking to break out of reinforcement bubbles.

The call to action for individuals to be informed and to take steps to change the status quo.

Transcripts

[Music]

hi everyone i'm caitlin

so today we're just going to get started

with a little bit about me

i'm a sophomore in high school and

this year i started the ethics and

social media club now i could go on and

on about the different extracurriculars

i do however at the end of the day i'm

just

a screen ager

trying to distract myself in modern day

reality

now

it's always been

in my nature to be very gullible

but i was very content to stay in my

innocent projection of reality

this all came crashing down in fifth

grade when my mom signed me up for

debate classes

my first topic

animal experimentation

fun right

with the help of my coach i dove head

first into a life of lab rats and lab

mice

to discuss the ethicalness of animal

testing

after hours of pouring over research i

finally came to my key piece of

evidence

an article stating that researchers had

developed an ai that could

act and act like a regular human brain

thus making animal testing completely

unnecessary

i raced to my teacher giddy with

excitement

however

she showed me that my evidence was from

a star trek fandom website

this was my first awakening to the

difference between reliable and

unreliable information

this realization forced me to constantly

check the information that i was looking

at

and even after years of practice this

can still be very difficult

in fact

about 67 of all americans still

get confused by fake news

in a study done by the stanford history

sanford history education research group

thousands of middle school students high

school students and college students

were all administered different

one in particular was extremely

difficult

both ap u.s history students and

stanford graduate under

stanford undergraduate students were

given one website and to hold to

determine its credibility

minimumwage.com

the results

only six percent of college students and

nine percent of high school students

were able to determine its credibility

this was not

unexpected the website cites sources

from the new york times and the columbia

journalism review

furthermore

its about page

states that it's a

non-profit or research organization

dedicated to studying public policy

surrounding uh employment growth

everything about this website

practically screens

credible however

in reality this website is owned by a

public relations firm dedicated

that represents the restaurant industry

and its owner is notorious for creating

official sounding non-profit

organizations

at the end of the day

this is only this is all

uh known information vital but still

known

however people don't realize that the

true issue at hand are the harmful

reinforcement bubbles that have been

created by

and affected by fake news

a reinforcement bubble or a filter

bubble is the intellectual isolation

that can occur when websites make use of

algorithms to selectively assume

information about its users and then

give information back to the users

according to this assumption

social media platforms all curate

personalized content to show each

individual

it takes into account almost everything

that can be observed online

recently

tick tock has been able to create the

perfect algorithm to keep people

addicted

they take into account which posts users

like comment and share

the

hashtags and descriptions in comments

as well as the not interested feedback

that users can give

however

most importantly

they take into account the number of

seconds that users spend watching each

video

in a study done by the wall street

journal

a hundred bots were sent onto tick-tock

each personalized and customized with

their own likes and interests

they never interacted with any of the

videos

besides watching them

um

and within two hours

the tick tocks algorithm had managed to

figure out each bot's

interests from then on the bots were

stuck on a side of tick tock that match

their interests that they were unable to

get out of

there is no doubt that computers are

very smart however tick tock's algorithm

compared to other algorithms

is almost omniscient

many have reported that the videos that

have popped up on their for you page

have helped them to discover their

sexuality and even unpack their

childhood trauma

pretty scary right

this highly

complex algorithm was created by a

chinese company called bike dance

and they have already begun to celebrate

their algorithm

recently bike dance created

byte plus

this division

this new division in the company focused

on alternate altering the algorithm to

better fit other companies and their

needs

and then selling this ai power

technology to businesses outside of

china

and the few short months that this

division has been open

the algorithm has been able was sold to

goat chili belly and wago

bite dance algorithm is so

advanced that the financial times

believes it to be directly competing

with large companies such as ibm

aws

microsoft and even google

and it's only a matter of time before

bike dance sells its algorithm to even

more companies

so

how do these algorithms affect our world

on a large scale

almost everything that can be seen

online has been personalized and curated

to our taste

since january of 2022 the bbc

has had over 1

billion visits to its website

thus making it the world's most used and

popular website in the world

both the bbc and its partner

organization the cbc

use recommender systems

essentially the world's most powerful

and reliable

news sources try to give you content

that will engage you the most

this pushes you further into your filter

bubble by giving you information that

you would like to see

the reinforcement bubbles created by

news websites are particularly alarming

because they create radical extremists

who are not willing to change their

opinion

in other words

many be people are becoming more blind

to the realities of the world

this has led to a tense political

division

that has never been seen before

so what's the solution

it is vital for us to be able to

understand all sides in each issue that

we face

as a debater i have to focus and argue

for both the affirmative and the

negative side for each argument

this has given me the opportunity to

seek a deeper understanding

and unders of each issue because i can

understand both sides

i often have very unbiased opinions and

understand that my knowledge is limited

i thoroughly research both sides of an

argument by starting at the beginning i

go to government websites

sources from schools and other trusted

sources to help learn the history behind

the issue

the best way to be exposed to different

new and

ideas and beliefs are to get people's

opinions

having conversations about different

issues is very important however

going to opinion articles is even more

helpful because you can read and

understand each person's viewpoint as

well as their supporting evidence

it's also vital to cross-check your

evidence to ensure that you are not

finding more false information

however you must realize that everything

you read or hear should be taken with a

grain of salt

no one is a hundred percent unbiased and

everyone has their own opinions and

motives

if we can understand this then more

people are going to be able to use

factual evidence to formulate their own

opinions

this helps people to stop being ignorant

to the world around them

and learn different arguments for each

topic

we must seek out our own evidence and

make informed opinions inside of blindly

believing anything we read

we must pop the reinforcement bubbles

that have been that we have been placed

in

be proactive

don't just let evidence and information

flow to you instead seek out your own

information

because by acting

we are helping

we must act because actions change

things

thank you

[Applause]

[Music]

you