Abstract:
Social media exploits human biases, heightening the visibility and spread of negative, extreme, and divisive content. Public opinion and norms are distorted by disproportionately active fringe voices while moderates are muted. Politicians adapt to incentives, increasing incivility, moralization, and out-group demonization. Preferences for content moderation differ by users' ideology, complicating regulation and risking ideological bias in discourse. Platforms alone may not be able to reverse a self-perpetuating spiral of divisiveness - education and policy thus play a crucial role.
