Algorithms and Online Identity

Social algorithms don’t just show us content — they actively shape how people form and express their identities online. Because these platforms play such a huge role in daily life, especially for young people, the content algorithms choose ends up influencing how users see themselves.

11/1/20251 min read

Social algorithms really shape how people view their own identity online these days. They decide what shows up on our feeds. They also control who gets to see what we post. On top of that, they pick out which content actually gains real momentum across the web. All this turns the internet into a space where identities form around what the algorithms choose. The key thing with these online algorithms comes down to this. They do more than just reflect the identities we already carry. Instead, they actively build identities based on the stuff we encounter and how we act on these platforms. This carries huge weight since these sites form such a core part of users lives. It hits even deeper for young people today. Those platforms stand as the main spot where they figure out how to express their true sense of self.