Feedback Loops and Behavioral Shaping

Blog post descriptAlgorithms create feedback loops where likes and shares teach users what behavior gets attention, shaping how they act online. Over time, this reinforcement changes how people—especially younger users—see themselves both digitally and in real life.ion.

10/19/20251 min read

These setups keep molding identity through cycles of feedback. When a post gets likes, comments, or shares, it climbs higher in visibility on the site. This creates a loop that teaches users what grabs eyes. Danah boyd points out how younger folks shift their online habits in response to reactions from peers. This builds groups where self views tie directly to those exchanges (boyd 2014). Algorithms that boost certain actions encourage users to keep repeating them. Over time, this alters not just how users see themselves digitally. It spills over into their real world outlooks too.