Investigating Algorithmic Misconceptions in a Media Context: Source of a New Digital Divide?

Algorithms are widely used in our data-driven media landscape. Many misconceptions have arisen about how these algorithms work and what they can do. In this study, we conducted a large representative survey (N = 2,106) in the Netherlands to explore algorithmic misconceptions. Results showed that a s...

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Autores principales:	Brahim Zarouali, Natali Helberger, Claes H. de Vreese
Formato:	article
Lenguaje:	EN
Publicado:	Cogitatio 2021
Materias:	algorithms algorithmic awareness digital divide misconceptions technology Communication. Mass media P87-96
Acceso en línea:	https://doaj.org/article/c3289630fea746b4b735f4d0af143d88
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spelling	oai:doaj.org-article:c3289630fea746b4b735f4d0af143d882021-11-18T11:14:12ZInvestigating Algorithmic Misconceptions in a Media Context: Source of a New Digital Divide?2183-243910.17645/mac.v9i4.4090https://doaj.org/article/c3289630fea746b4b735f4d0af143d882021-11-01T00:00:00Zhttps://www.cogitatiopress.com/mediaandcommunication/article/view/4090https://doaj.org/toc/2183-2439Algorithms are widely used in our data-driven media landscape. Many misconceptions have arisen about how these algorithms work and what they can do. In this study, we conducted a large representative survey (N = 2,106) in the Netherlands to explore algorithmic misconceptions. Results showed that a significant part of the general population holds (multiple) misconceptions about algorithms in the media. We found that erroneous beliefs about algorithms are more common among (1) older people (vs. younger people), (2) lower-educated people (vs. higher-educated), and (3) women (vs. men). In addition, it was found that people who had no specific sources to inform themselves about algorithms, and those relying on their friends/family for information, were more likely to have algorithmic misconceptions. Conversely, media channels, school, and having one’s own (online) experiences were found to be sources associated with having fewer algorithmic misconceptions. Theoretical implications are formulated in the context of algorithmic awareness and the digital divide. Finally, societal implications are discussed, such as the need for algorithmic literacy initiatives.Brahim ZaroualiNatali HelbergerClaes H. de VreeseCogitatioarticlealgorithmsalgorithmic awarenessdigital dividemisconceptionstechnologyCommunication. Mass mediaP87-96ENMedia and Communication, Vol 9, Iss 4, Pp 134-144 (2021)
institution	DOAJ
collection	DOAJ
language	EN
topic	algorithms algorithmic awareness digital divide misconceptions technology Communication. Mass media P87-96
spellingShingle	algorithms algorithmic awareness digital divide misconceptions technology Communication. Mass media P87-96 Brahim Zarouali Natali Helberger Claes H. de Vreese Investigating Algorithmic Misconceptions in a Media Context: Source of a New Digital Divide?
description	Algorithms are widely used in our data-driven media landscape. Many misconceptions have arisen about how these algorithms work and what they can do. In this study, we conducted a large representative survey (N = 2,106) in the Netherlands to explore algorithmic misconceptions. Results showed that a significant part of the general population holds (multiple) misconceptions about algorithms in the media. We found that erroneous beliefs about algorithms are more common among (1) older people (vs. younger people), (2) lower-educated people (vs. higher-educated), and (3) women (vs. men). In addition, it was found that people who had no specific sources to inform themselves about algorithms, and those relying on their friends/family for information, were more likely to have algorithmic misconceptions. Conversely, media channels, school, and having one’s own (online) experiences were found to be sources associated with having fewer algorithmic misconceptions. Theoretical implications are formulated in the context of algorithmic awareness and the digital divide. Finally, societal implications are discussed, such as the need for algorithmic literacy initiatives.
format	article
author	Brahim Zarouali Natali Helberger Claes H. de Vreese
author_facet	Brahim Zarouali Natali Helberger Claes H. de Vreese
author_sort	Brahim Zarouali
title	Investigating Algorithmic Misconceptions in a Media Context: Source of a New Digital Divide?
title_short	Investigating Algorithmic Misconceptions in a Media Context: Source of a New Digital Divide?
title_full	Investigating Algorithmic Misconceptions in a Media Context: Source of a New Digital Divide?
title_fullStr	Investigating Algorithmic Misconceptions in a Media Context: Source of a New Digital Divide?
title_full_unstemmed	Investigating Algorithmic Misconceptions in a Media Context: Source of a New Digital Divide?
title_sort	investigating algorithmic misconceptions in a media context: source of a new digital divide?
publisher	Cogitatio
publishDate	2021
url	https://doaj.org/article/c3289630fea746b4b735f4d0af143d88
work_keys_str_mv	AT brahimzarouali investigatingalgorithmicmisconceptionsinamediacontextsourceofanewdigitaldivide AT natalihelberger investigatingalgorithmicmisconceptionsinamediacontextsourceofanewdigitaldivide AT claeshdevreese investigatingalgorithmicmisconceptionsinamediacontextsourceofanewdigitaldivide
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Investigating Algorithmic Misconceptions in a Media Context: Source of a New Digital Divide?

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