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Digital Inclusion Through Algorithmic Knowledge: Curated Flows of Civic and Political Information on Instagram

Author

Listed:
  • Shelley Boulianne

    (Digital News Dynamics Research Group, Weizenbaum Institute for the Networked Society, Germany)

  • Christian P. Hoffmann

    (Institute of Communication and Media Studies, Leipzig University, Germany)

Abstract

Social media platforms are a critical source of civic and political information. We examine the use of Instagram to acquire news as well as civic and political information using nationally representative survey data gathered in 2019 in the US, the UK, France, and Canada ( n = 2,440). We investigate active curation practices (following news organizations, political candidates or parties, and nonprofit organizations or charities) and passive curation practices (liking friends’ political posts and those from parties or politicians and nonprofits or charities). Young adults (18 to 24 years) are far more likely to curate their Instagram feed than older adults in all four countries. We consider two possible explanations for this behavior: political interest and an understanding of how algorithms work. Young adults have more (self-assessed) knowledge of algorithms in all four countries. Algorithmic knowledge relates to curation practices, but there are some cross-national differences. Algorithmic knowledge is theoretically relevant for passive curation practices and the UK sample provides support for the stronger role of algorithmic knowledge in passive than active curation. In all four countries, political interest positively relates to active and passive curation practices. These findings challenge depictions of young adults as news avoiders; instead, they demonstrate that algorithmic knowledge can help curate the flow of information from news organizations as well as civic and political groups on Instagram. While algorithmic knowledge enables youth’s digital inclusion, for older adults, the lack of knowledge may contribute to digital exclusion as they do not know how to curate their information flows.

Suggested Citation

  • Shelley Boulianne & Christian P. Hoffmann, 2024. "Digital Inclusion Through Algorithmic Knowledge: Curated Flows of Civic and Political Information on Instagram," Media and Communication, Cogitatio Press, vol. 12.
    • Handle: RePEc:cog:meanco:v12:y:2024:a:8102
    DOI: 10.17645/mac.8102
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Bianca Reisdorf & Colin Rhinesmith, 2020. "Digital Inclusion as a Core Component of Social Inclusion," Social Inclusion, Cogitatio Press, vol. 8(2), pages 132-137.
    2. David Blanco-Herrero & Javier J. Amores & Patricia Sánchez-Holgado, 2021. "Citizen Perceptions of Fake News in Spain: Socioeconomic, Demographic, and Ideological Differences," Publications, MDPI, vol. 9(3), pages 1-13, August.
    3. Franziska Marquart & Jakob Ohme & Judith Möller, 2020. "Following Politicians on Social Media: Effects for Political Information, Peer Communication, and Youth Engagement," Media and Communication, Cogitatio Press, vol. 8(2), pages 197-207.
    4. Emilija Gagrčin & Jakob Ohme & Lina Buttgereit & Felix Grünewald, 2023. "Datafication Markers: Curation and User Network Effects on Mobilization and Polarization During Elections," Media and Communication, Cogitatio Press, vol. 11(3), pages 262-273.
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