In the digital age, social media has become the ultimate double-edged sword. It connects us, gives us a platform, and allows us to engage with the world. Beneath the surface lies a danger most people don’t even realize: the echo chamber effect. This phenomenon, where algorithms tailor content to reinforce our existing beliefs, actively creates a world where people are trapped in their perspectives, unable to see beyond their curated feeds.
A recent example of this came with Selena Gomez, who was at the center of controversy over an Instagram post. When she shared her emotions on her Instagram stories about the current deportations, she faced a massive wave of backlash, with many arguing that she had remained silent on many different aspects of the immigration issue. When “caught in the echochamber,” social media creates the cue for a good time to speak out on issues, making it easy to find people who aren’t fully educated on topics they sound passionate about.
So why create an echo chamber? Social media thrives on division; it rewards outrage and extreme opinions, pushing us further into our respective camps. Instead of nuanced debate, we see instant judgment. Instead of understanding, we get virtual pitchforks.
Echo chambers affect many people, but they are especially a problem for high school students. Social media algorithms are designed to keep people engaged by showing content they already agree with. This can make it difficult for young people to hear different opinions and develop their ideas. When people only see one side of an issue, it’s easy to believe that’s the only correct view.
This is clear in the way debates unfold on TikTok and Instagram. Whether it’s about music, politics, or school rules, people tend to see and engage with content that supports what they already think. Because of this, many don’t get the chance to hear other perspectives or learn how to think critically about both sides of an argument, which can lead to more division and less understanding.
In recent years, we’ve seen echo chambers prevalent among anti-Semitic narratives arising from the Israel-Palestine conflict, provoking controversy and, in some cases, violence. The way Jewish people in America tend to be represented based on the acts of Jews across the globe is a direct result of echo chambers not allowing for differing perspectives.
Miracle Neal, former editor-in-chief of The Feather in 2024, wrote an editorial discussing Antisemitism on college campuses amid all the conflict. In her research, she found many cases of Jewish groups being marginalized unfairly because of decisions made by a government on the other side of the globe.
“People who identify as Jewish have been unfairly excluded and dangerously targeted against on their campuses, forcing them to focus on their safety rather than the typical college demands like assignments, networking and exams,” Neal said. “The widespread misinformation about Jewish groups and influence is harming the academic growth of those who could be future doctors, lawyers, and teachers, affecting not only their future but our future as a nation.”
It’s important to be aware of how social media works so we can break out of echo chambers. Following different news sources, listening to people with different views, and having open conversations can help provide a more balanced perspective. Social media has the power to bring people together, but only if it’s used in a way that encourages learning and growth rather than just reinforcing existing beliefs.
Junior Christian Martinez co-founded the Debate Club in Room 604 to halt any reinforcements of echo chambers on campus. He addressed the clear absence of complex reasoning when echo chambers are formed.
“When we only hear what we already believe, we stop thinking critically. Debate challenges us to seek truth, not just validation,” Martinez said.
Debate Club has not been in session recently due to a rapid decrease in student attendance. The vast majority of students on campus share many beliefs and often relay the same messages to each other. This makes it difficult for the club’s founders to create topics that can be debated and discussed. Is this evidence of our school being an echo chamber in and of itself? There are many signs of it on campus, as students can often be observed giving points that just align with what their parents believe or what they see on their Instagram feed. Even more prevalent is the issue of students not being able to consider contrasting opinions when formulating their own beliefs.
Next Debate Club: March 10, at lunch, Rm. 604
In the discourse of societal issues on campus or online, valuing different viewpoints is critical in developing meaningful conversations. High school students don’t need to understand all the finite details of policy, economics, or any other far-reaching concepts to engage in thoughtful discussions, but they do need to be open to hearing perspectives that challenge their own.
When political conversations happen in echo chambers—where only one side of an argument is heard—students risk reinforcing biases instead of developing informed opinions. To avoid this, students can actively seek out diverse news sources, engage in respectful debates, and ask questions rather than dismissing opposing ideas outright. Rather than shutting down differing opinions, encouraging open dialogue helps create a more balanced and informed perspective on political issues.
Breaking out of echo chambers requires conscious effort, but it’s essential for meaningful conversations and critical thinking. Social media has the power to either divide or educate, depending on how it’s used. By actively seeking diverse perspectives, engaging in open discussions, and questioning our own biases, high school students can move beyond the predetermined boundaries of curated content and develop a deeper understanding of the world around them. Only by embracing different viewpoints can we bring about true learning and growth—both online and in real life.
For more from The Feather, read Column: A students’ guide to investing or Black History Month: Dr. André Stephens leads Fresno Pacific University
