Between Echo Chambers, Political Polarization and Intolerance - The Damaging Reverse of Consumption and Political Mobilization of Young People on Social Media

Abstract

Social media plays a central role in the lives of young people. These platforms are spaces for socialization, communication, entertainment, and the place elected by young people for their news consumption. It also allows for new forms of mobilization and political participation, which creates new dynamics, opportunities, and challenges. On one side, they facilitate access to information, enable a direct channel of communication between elected officials and voters and provide a space in which all citizens can freely express and share ideas. On the other hand, algorithms, echo chambers and filter bubbles encourage political polarization and increase intolerance.

This article reviews and exposes existing studies published in recent years on this issue, presents a critical discussion and proposals for future research aimed towards understanding this phenomenon in the light of the Portuguese social and political context.