Chapter 16. The Internet as Social Amplifier

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by David Myers and Nathan DeWall

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Thinking Critically About: The Internet as Social Amplifier

Within the internet’s echo chamber of the like-minded, views become more extreme. Sometimes that phenomenon can work for good, sometimes for bad.

An infographic shows the role of the Internet in group polarization. You can read full description from the link below

Figure 16.1:

The Internet as Social Amplifier imageEnlarge figure Image description

Quiz

1.

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Digital discussions tend to isolate like-minded people. This selective exposure to those with similar views and biases prompts existing attitudes to intensify.

2.

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On the internet, like minds can congregate via social media and through selective exposure to kindred-spirited views—echoing each others’ ideas and attitudes. That can work for either good (as when people find support for coping with health challenges or want to gather for a good cause) or ill (as when people find reinforcement for their hatreds).