In the digital age, social media platforms have reshaped political discourse, yet their structural mechanisms increasingly contribute to political polarization and ideological fragmentation. This paper examines how social media fosters divisive political dynamics through three interrelated frameworks: filter bubbles and echo chambers, group polarization and online tribalism, and misinformation and political manipulation. Using a qualitative analysis of theoretical frameworks and case studies, the study reveals how algorithmic personalization creates insulated information environments, reinforcing homogeneous beliefs and limiting exposure to diverse viewpoints. Online interactions within like-minded groups amplify extreme attitudes, while coordinated disinformation campaigns exploit psychological biases and viral dissemination to distort public perceptions and erode institutional trust. These mechanisms collectively weaken bipartisan dialogue, escalate intergroup antagonism, and threaten democratic stability by accelerating ideological polarization rather than facilitating constructive debate. The research highlights the need for multi-faceted solutions, including algorithmic transparency, misinformation regulation, and enhanced media literacy, to transform social media from a driver of division into a platform for inclusive, fact-based political discourse.
Zihang Dou (Tue,) studied this question.