A Parent’s Guide to Social Media Algorithm Literacy

As parents and caregivers to overcome the “algorithms” we must create the “mechanisms” to have ongoing discussions with our kiddo’s about digital literacy, internet safety, and privacy

As parents, have you ever wondered why your kids seem so captivated by social media platforms like TikTok, Snapchat, Instagram, and YouTube? Behind the scenes of these social media platforms, algorithms are working relentlessly to shape our kid’s online experiences in ways we might not fully realize. These algorithms are specifically designed and working overtime to deliver personalized content, drawing teens deeper into endless videos and posts that align with their interests. The result? It becomes harder for them to step away from their devices. Plain and simple, these algorithms are designed to maximize engagement and hold your child’s attention. Why? – because the longer your kids stay online, the more personal information these platforms gather, use, and sell for their financial benefit.

Social media algorithms are complex systems that determine the content our kids see on their feeds. They use personal data, user interactions, and online preferences to curate content that keeps youth engaged. Here’s a simplified breakdown of how they work:

• Social media platforms collect user data, including demographics, interests, search history, likes, comments, shares, and time spent on content.

• Algorithms analyze the collected data to understand user preferences and identify patterns.

• Algorithms rank content based on relevance, engagement potential, and user preferences.

• The algorithm curates the user’s feed with the most relevant and engaging content based upon the above noted criteria.

So, why can social media algorithms be dangerous for youth?

• Algorithms are designed to maximize engagement; this can sometimes lead to problematic behaviour and excessive screen use.

• Algorithms create “filter bubbles” that reinforce existing beliefs and limit exposure to diverse perspectives.

• Algorithms can facilitate bullying and harassment by prioritizing controversial or provocative content.

• Algorithms can perpetuate unrealistic expectations, body image issues, and low self-esteem that can lead to concerning content such as self-harm, suicide, and eating disorders.

• Algorithms can spread false information and propaganda, influencing youth’s perceptions and beliefs.

• Algorithms collect and monetize personal data, compromising youth’s privacy and security.

As parents and caregivers, it’s crucial that we educate ourselves and our kids about social media algorithms and their potential impact. By doing so, we can help our kids develop healthy digital habits and make informed decisions about their technology use. By understanding how social media algorithms work, youth can:

• Recognize how content is curated and why it’s so engaging

• Make mindful decisions about when and how they use technology

• Develop strategies to mitigate potential harms, and

• Take control of their digital experiences

Many parents, caregivers, and youth don’t know that you can reset and game these social media algorithms to refresh their feed, delete concerning content, and explore new content. This is especially important when our kids fall down the deep dark holes of the internet, by accident or on purpose, where these algorithms can start to feed them less than desirable content. Empower your child to take control of their social media experience – by resetting the algorithms of popular social media apps, youth can refresh their feed and reduce potential risks. Follow this simple step-by-step guide to help accomplish this goal on these four popular social media platforms:

Instagram

Clear Search History

1. Open the Instagram app and go to their profile page

• Tap the three-line icon (menu) at the top right.

• Select “Your Activity” and then “Recent Searches”.

• Press “Clear All” to clear their search history.

Adjust Interests

1. Have them interact with posts that interest them.

• If they see a post they don’t like, tap the three dots (menu) and select “Not Interested”.

• This helps the algorithm learn their preferences.

Refresh Explore Page

1. Open the Instagram app and tap the magnifying glass (search icon).

• Tap “See All” near the search box to refresh content.

By following these steps, your teen can reset their Instagram algorithm and see content that’s more relevant to their interests. Remember to encourage them to regularly review their settings and adjust their preferences to maintain a healthy online experience.

TikTok

Clear Cache

1. Open TikTok and go to their profile.

• Tap the menu icon and select Settings and Privacy.

• Scroll to Cache & Cellular and tap “Free up space”.

• Confirm clearing the cache.

Dislike Videos

1. Open TikTok and go to the For You section.

• Long-press on a video and select “Not Interested”.

• Alternatively, manually remove likes from videos in their Liked section.

Unfollow Accounts

1. Go to their Following section.

• Unfollow accounts they no longer want to see content from.

Refresh Their Page

1. Start liking content they want to watch.

• Search for niches and like relevant content.

• Repeat this process to signal the algorithm to change their feed.

Remember, resetting the TikTok algorithm takes time and patience. Encourage your teen to regularly review their settings and adjust their preferences to maintain a healthy online experience.

YouTube

As a parent, you can help your teen reset their YouTube recommendations to improve their viewing experience. Here’s a step-by-step guide:

Clear Watch History

1. Open YouTube and click on their profile icon.

• Go to “Your data in YouTube” and select “Manage your YouTube Watch History”.

• Click “Clear all watch history” to remove all previously watched videos from influencing future recommendations.

Delete Search History

1. Go to “Your data in YouTube” and select “Manage your YouTube Search History”.

• Click “Clear all search history” to delete all past searches and ensure a fresh start for recommendations.

Manage Subscriptions

1. Click on the “Subscriptions” tab on the left-hand side of the YouTube homepage.

• Review all subscribed channels and unsubscribe from those no longer of interest.

Snapchat

Method 1: Hide Certain Channels

1. Open Snapchat and tap the Discover icon.

• Locate the channel you want to hide.

• Tap and hold on to a video from that channel.

• Select “Hide” to remove the channel from Discover.

Method 2: Remove Channels Already in your Feed

1. Tap the three-dots icon from the top right corner.

• Select “Manage Accounts I Follow”.

• Choose the channel you want to remove.

• Toggle off the “Add” option.

Method 3: Report Inappropriate Content

1. Follow steps 1-4 from Method 1.

• Tap “Report” and select the desired option.

• Add a comment if needed (optional).

• Tap “Submit” to report the content.

Reset Snapchat Discovery Feed

1. Open Snapchat and tap the profile icon.

• Tap the gear icon to open settings.

• Scroll down and select “Ads”.

• Tap “Lifestyles & Interests”.

• Choose categories you want to see in your discovery feed.

Social media algorithms have a profound influence on our kids’ online experiences, shaping their interactions and gathering personal information. However, by educating ourselves and our children about how these algorithms work, we can start to take back control and promote healthy digital habits. By regularly resetting and refreshing their social media feeds, your kids can help minimize the endless loop of problematic content and explore new interests.

As a parent or caregiver, you have the power to guide your kids through the onlife world and help them develop mindful technology use. By working together, we can ensure that social media platforms are a positive and enriching experience for our kids. Take the first step by incorporating the recommendations in this how-to- article, and help your kids reset their social media algorithms to create a healthier onlife environment.

Digital Food For Thought

The White Hatter

Facts Not Fear, Facts Not Emotions, Enlighten Not Frighten, Know Tech Not No Tech