Examining Limiting Mechanisms for Reducing Social Media Polarization: A Simulation Study

Abstract

Industry and academia are both observing an increasing polarization in how citizens inform, deliberate, and discuss with one another. Many attribute social media as a key factor accelerating this polarization. Social media offers a reach, replication, and immediacy never before possible. In this paper, we examine how variation in replication may influence the polarizing effects of social media. Using a simulation setting allowing agents to interact iteratively over social media, we introduce "caps" that limit the number of times certain actors can share existing content. The introduction of this simple cap results in 31% less polarization. Both the government and technology companies are exploring how to mitigate some of the perceived negative impacts of social media, including polarization. Our findings have important practice implications for their efforts.