The project I created was designed to educate myself on how my interactions with online algorithms affect my everyday life and conversations. It was also intended to make others aware that there is much more to media and algorithms than meets the eye. To accomplish this, I created a website, posted research to it, and accumulated resources from multiple credible sources.
Project Purpose and Objectives
As someone born into the Gen Z generation, screens and technology have always been a part of my life. Because of this, I have had to learn how to safely navigate them in order to maintain healthy habits. Now, as an adult still setting these boundaries myself, my concern has grown, as the upcoming Gen Alpha is not being as cautious, and it is beginning to show.
My purpose in this study and publication project was to learn what the consequences of algorithm interaction are on the way we communicate, including mentality shifts and behavioral hindrances. It also involves researching what steps people can take to ensure these consequences are positive rather than negative.
Key objectives of this project were as follows:
- To caution and educate others on how people can be impacted by feeding into online algorithms, both positively and negatively
- To teach myself why it is important to be mindful of my online interactions, as the influence they have affects how I communicate in person
- To propose solutions to the problematic impacts of media and algorithms for everyone, especially vulnerable consumers like children, teens, and the elderly
- Building a website platform that will fine-tune my skills in communicating information clearly through writing, accumulating credible information, and publishing final products that appeal to audiences
Together, all of these posts conveyed my concern and goals in becoming more self-aware. I also intend to apply many of the skills used in this project to my professional goals, as they involve writing to connect with my audience, being concise, understanding my topics, and more.
Algorithm Awareness Website
I began my project by building a website to publish my findings. This was done through Google Sites. From there, I set up a timeline where, every two weeks, I would post another research topic involving the effects of algorithms on people. I ended up with five posts, though the last one will be published this Wednesday:
- My first post generally described the impacts of algorithms on the people using them and what we currently see happening. It served as an overview.
- The next post focused on the few positive influences algorithms have on their users. I wanted to cover the full spectrum of their influence, so this post helped me accomplish that.
- The third post pointed out the negative impacts on users. I wanted to go into further depth with this post, as we all know that media can cause issues, so I aimed to be thorough and specific in my research.
- This post was meant to display why this issue matters so much. I focused on the people who are at the highest risk of being negatively influenced. I covered what these influences could be, how this is already becoming a widespread issue, and what additional problems algorithmic media interaction can lead to.
- This week, I am set to post my arguably most important addition to my website and the research discussed: how we can combat this problem for our own sake and for those we care about. Naturally, I will share my thoughts supported by research, statistics, quotes, and whatever else I find relevant.
Every post also included visual sources for reference, including a variety of videos, graphs, and other statistics. In addition to my website, Wednesday will also be the day I print and display a summary of this research in the form of an infographic around the BYU-I campus to reach a wider audience. I hope this will help me receive more feedback on how my research is perceived, along with my website, for which I will include the link on my flyer.
Challenges
One undertaking that was more difficult than I anticipated was my second post, which focused on the positive impacts of algorithms. Most of the research I found was about the harm they can cause, so finding the silver lining required more digging than my other posts.
Many of the topics surrounding online interaction and its effects can be difficult to distinguish from one another. I had to make a conscious effort to be clear and explicit in every thought I presented. Some children have behavioral issues stemming from media because they have learned to prioritize self-gratification over all else, while others are simply watching content far too mature for their age. I had to spend extra time ensuring my thoughts were well-grounded throughout each post.
On website template platforms like Google Sites, reaching an audience can be more difficult. This is one of the reasons I am also creating a physical flyer. I want to avoid limiting my audience, which has been difficult in the past.
What’s The Process?
Most of the time spent on this process was dedicated to accumulating sources as references for my posts. Because of this, my project process was loosely structured.
I would post on Wednesday and spend the rest of that week getting feedback from my mentor and others whose judgment I valued. I would also revise that post and anything else the website needed. The following week, I focused on researching for the next post. That weekend was spent making my public update. I used the remainder of the two-week period to arrange, format, and type up my findings for my Wednesday deadline.
Experience Overview
Though analysis and investigation are time-consuming and can be mentally tiring, I found the process to be worthwhile. I was able to shape my opinions and ideas into credible, informative statements and make connections through the interviews I often relied on. Seeing my progress was satisfying, given how hard I worked to achieve the final product.
I enjoyed examining my work through the lens of my audience. Seeing my work relate to people from many different demographics helped me understand how I should write and what my audience would want to hear more about.
My Takeaways
One of the insights that meant the most to me was the idea that problems can only be solved when they are discussed openly. Many people fail to understand algorithms themselves, let alone the specific ways they can lead to problems later on. Open discussion relies on many principles of communication that I was mindful to include, such as objectivity, honesty, conciseness, and more.
I also found that my attention to detail helped my posts be more thorough and successful. When I uncovered a specific idea, I would research and explicate it until the topic was broad, accessible, and readable. It has more value than I originally thought. It’s a skill I can apply in many settings and share with people in meaningful ways, both virtually and in person.