Okay! After reading the explanation for the final blog post, I am so excited to start and finish this course off strong!!!! Please enjoy my outline and what I plan to do for the MCO 427 final project.
Final Project Outline – “We Got This!” Blog Assignment
- The topic that I am covering:
I plan to focus my blog post on how social media algorithms manipulate our news feeds and influence what we believe. Specifically, I want to explain how platforms like TikTok and Instagram prioritize content that is sensational, emotional, or highly engaging, which can EASILY lead to misinformation spreading very quickly. (I literally saw a post yesterday saying that Russell Wilson retired and I fell for it instantly and told my dad, then having to go back to fact check and found out that I got tricked by a parody account) As part of my project, I will scroll my own feeds (TikTok and Instagram’s Explore pages) and watch how the content changes based on what I like, search for, or interact with. I think this will give a real and very relatable example of how algorithms actively shape what users see, and how quickly and how often they are changing through one sitting of scrolling. - Why this topic is important:
This topic is important because most people get news and information through social media without realizing how much it is curated by algorithms. These systems are designed to keep users engaged, often by showing content that triggers strong emotions rather than content that is accurate or balanced. By understanding how algorithms work, people can become more aware of why certain posts appear in their feeds, recognize potential misinformation, and make smarter choices about the content they consume. - Target audience:
I think my target audience is college students and young adults (ages 18–26) who use social media every day for news, entertainment, and connecting with friends (aka me). This group is VERY tech-savvy and spends significant time on TikTok and Instagram, but they may not truly understand the subtle ways their feeds are influenced and what misinformation they may be taking in. They are also likely to share content without even thinking about its accuracy, so teaching them to notice how algorithms shape their feeds could help them be more informed and responsible media consumers. - Method and medium:
I chose to create a 900-word blog post to explain how the algorithms shape social media feeds and influence what people believe. I really enjoy writing (when its like a blog) and feel like I can explain myself better in this format, so doing a blog will let me fully share my ideas and observations about this topic. I’m excited to include links, screenshots, and photos to make the content more engaging and easy to understand espeically when its from my own phone and social media account. The post will use examples from my own TikTok and Instagram feeds to show how the content changes based on what I like, search for, or interact with, making the concept super concrete and relatable for readers who may be addicted to their phones like I am. - Why I think this method/medium will be effective:
I think a blog post is perfect for this audience because it allows for a slightly more in-depth explanation, more than what a short video may provide. Readers can scroll at their own pace, refer back to examples and links I give, and engage with the visuals I plan to include. Combining personal examples, research, and tips, the blog will make the abstract idea of algorithmic influence relatable and honestly easy for readers to read. I think I type very much like a 25 year old, so they wont have a hard time trying to understand what I am saying. Sharing many screenshots, links, and photos will help any readers actually see the concepts in action and give them practical ways to think about how they truly use social media.
Time to get started! See you at the finish line!
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