Belén Laspra

On social network X (formerly Twitter), when users select the ‘for you’ option, the algorithm tends to steer them towards more conservative political options, according to research conducted with nearly 5,000 participants in the United States in 2023. The authors randomly assigned users to either an algorithmic or chronological feed for seven weeks. The switch from chronological to algorithmic feed increased engagement and shifted political opinion towards more conservative positions, especially on political priorities, perceptions of criminal investigations into Donald Trump, and opinions on the war in Ukraine. Conversely, switching from the algorithmic feed to the chronological feed had no comparable effects. ‘Initial exposure to X's algorithm has persistent effects on users' current political attitudes,’ say the authors of the study, published in Nature.

A study by the University of Cádiz has identified six factors that drive polarization around health-related issues, for example during crises such as the COVID-19 pandemic: political ideology, misinformation, social media dynamics, trust in institutions and professionals, risk perception, and socioeconomic factors. This review, published in Science Advances, brings together the conclusions of 90 previous studies and analyzes how these determinants exacerbate health inequalities and influence compliance with public health measures.

Spanish citizens trust science and researchers, and want them to be more involved in the issues that affect people's lives. Television and social media are the most commonly used channels for obtaining information on these topics. 81.4% recognise that climate change is a serious problem and, with regard to AI, although more than 80% use it, there is concern about its risks and governance. These figures come from the latest edition of the FECYT's biennial Social Perception of Science and Technology Survey (EPSCT) 2024.