The Influence of Technology on Democracy

By Dakota Johnson

12/13/24

Can democracy survive in a world where social media algorithms know how you’ll vote before you do? 

For Gen Z, this may be the case. When I first got Instagram, I never would have thought that the same app I use to post pictures with friends would one day show me steps to register to vote (as a minor). Our phones are always with us, and we are always with them. For such a generation raised online, political opinions are shaped as much by what we scroll past as by what we learn in the classroom or at home. We scroll. We absorb. We believe. We are directed.

My AP Government textbook told me that the biggest source of political socialization is one’s family at home, but will this remain true? As political content floods our feeds (especially during election season)—often tailored to our interests, fears, and the timing of our clicks—it becomes increasingly evident that technology is shaping our democracies. Social media, once an application used for sharing photos with friends and family, has grown to be much more. Social media isn’t just a place where we post photos or watch videos—it’s where we form opinions, discover interests, build trust in one another, and learn about current events. 

Sometimes, this can be a good thing. Technology gives us a window into the tougher, more adult reality, and engages all generations with one another, allowing for more direct and meaningful connections worldwide. But at the same time, technology, especially through social media, can also spread misinformation, trap us into algorithm-based opinions, and manipulate us without even realizing it. 

On one hand, technology has made it easier than ever to become involved in our communities, politics, organizations, friend groups, and other interests. A single post can spark a protest. A trending hashtag can bring national attention to a seemingly once-overlooked issue. For a generation that’s constantly told we don’t care, the internet doesn’t just amplify youth voices—it gives us the microphone. 

However, we must acknowledge the threat of such algorithms. Algorithms can create echo chambers, pushing us deeper into our own beliefs and further away from opposing views, allowing for constant confirmation bias and self-guided media. By feeding an algorithm our time, likes, comments, saves, and other interactions, every scroll is tracked and targeted, forcing us to ask ourselves: Are we making our OWN opinions, or are we simply absorbing the ones the algorithm created for us? Are we truly in control of what we believe? 

We’ve all experienced a side of politics on social media. Whether this be voting registration buttons and links on TikTok, informative, fifteen-second videos breaking down Project 2025, or Instagram infographics from our favorite celebrities urging us to take a second to learn about policies important to them. This is content we have at our command. It reaches us where we are, in ways that traditional classrooms or news sources sometimes cannot. 

Technology has also worked in our favor, amplifying youth activism and Gen Z voices like never before. Movements, like March for Our Lives, Students Demand Action, and the Sunrise Movement, advocate their messages worldwide through their media influence. In fact, kids, like us, can interact directly with elected officials, campaigners, and experts through social media. 

Yet, the same algorithms that feed us handpicked media can also chain us to misinformation and polarization, misleading, confusing, and dividing us. For instance, a recent study found that over half of the top 100 trending TikTok videos under the hashtag “#mentalhealthtips” contained misinformation and malicious material, potentially misleading younger viewers seeking help or advice (Shultz). And unfortunately, it’s not just mental health—politics, too, are just as vulnerable to such a spread. Social media platforms often reward the most extreme, emotional, or controversial content, regardless of accuracy. As a result, political misinformation spreads faster through algorithms, reaching more people than fact-based information. These messages not only influence public opinion but also reinforce harmful stereotypes and lead to governmental and societal distrust. 

So, what does this mean for US? What can WE do? 

Well, if our algorithms consist of our opinions, filtering out clarities and imperfections to our taste, we must not disconnect, but become aware. We may be the first generation raised online, but we must stay grounded in communication and open-endedness. We must not get lost. We must equip ourselves to navigate our confusions. This means asking questions and using tools to shape us to reshape our conversations further. By doing so, we can hold leaders, politicians, platforms, businesses, and all individuals (including ourselves) accountable.

Sources

Mental Health Misinformation Spread

Social Media's Growing Influence on Politics

Protect Against Algorithmic Bias