Could you be stuck in a filter bubble or echo chamber?
Websites and companies can track your searches and all of your online habits and then provide "personalized" results. These are called "filter bubbles." These are also sometimes referred to as "echo chambers." Search engines and commercial websites rely on sophisticated algorithms to determine what you want to see. This can also lead you to getting your information from limited sources, potentially leading you to have a narrowed intake of news and perspectives about what is happening in the world. While it's impossible to stay offline indefinitely, there are some actions you can take.
1. Consider using ad-blocking browser extensions or use a browser that provides more protection.
2. Regularly delete your browsing history and cookies, or search incognito (private browsing) to limit the data companies collect.
3. Check your social media account settings to see what you are sharing with advertisers. But, even though you may opt out of seeing ads on Facebook, your habits will still be tracked.
4. Make an effort to find news and research from a variety of sources to view and consider different viewpoiints. Many news organizations are prone to implicit bias and will present current events in different lights or emphasize certain current events over others. This can lead viewers or readers to be led to think in a certain way if they aren't careful to explore topics or issues further. Recognize when "news" is being presented with opinion or when only one side of an issue is presented.
5. Try to find sources that focus more on education versus entertainment. These sources will be more likely to use and cite sources for further research. Try to locate each website's mission statement and contact information - a lack of these elements can be a red flag about its reliability.
In ENG 101, you learned some basic search strategies to employ within library databases and online, including:
Here are more tips to help you dig deeper!