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Article
Should we worry about filter bubbles?
Internet Policy Review (2016)
  • Frederik Zuiderveen Borgesius, Radboud University Nijmegen
  • Damian Trilling
  • Judith Moller
  • Balasz Bodo
  • Claes de Vreese
  • Natali Helberger, Universiteit van Amsterdam
Abstract
Some fear that personalised communication can lead to information cocoons or filter bubbles. For instance, a personalised news website could give more prominence to conservative or liberal media items, based on the (assumed) political interests of the user. As a result, users may encounter only a limited range of political ideas. We synthesise empirical research on the extent and effects of self-selected personalisation, where people actively choose which content they receive, and pre-selected personalisation, where algorithms personalise content for users without any deliberate user choice. We conclude that at present there is little empirical evidence that warrants any worries about filter bubbles.
Disciplines
Publication Date
March, 2016
DOI
DOI: 10.14763/2016.1.401
Citation Information
Frederik Zuiderveen Borgesius, Damian Trilling, Judith Moller, Balasz Bodo, et al.. "Should we worry about filter bubbles?" Internet Policy Review Vol. 5 Iss. 1 (2016)
Available at: http://works.bepress.com/frederik-zuiderveenborgesius/27/