Targeted Social Media Algorithm

The goal of this project is to create an application that shows a user a mock social media algorithm. The application will begin with a semi-random set of content that properly covers all of the metadata tags that our content covers. As each piece of content is shown, a user can select whether they “like” it and how much information on the page is “true” on a sliding scale. Both pieces of information will be recorded, likes for determining the content that the user will see after the random algorithm is complete, and how close they were to determining the percentage of information in the article that was true. The user will begin seeing targeted content without being informed that the algorithm is no longer giving them random content, and they will continue to rate the content that they're seeing. One of our goals as developers is to develop fake content in each of the categories that seems real and close to the correct information that users will also see, similar to how misinformation campaigns develop content on actual social media platforms. The user will then be given the opportunity to “finish” using the application, and they will be given results to tell them how good they were at identifying misinformation with a random algorithm and once they were targeted, giving them a direct comparison. The application will finally show the user the averages across all of the users who have used the application previously, allowing them to see where they stand against their peers.

Objectives

  • An application that fits the description of the social media algorithm detailed in the project description
  • A database that holds all the metadata for all the content, all the users' answers, and the results of each user run-through
  • A database of content that the user will see
  • A dashboard page that allows users to see averages of users' ability to discern misinformation with a random algorithm versus the targeted algorithm. 

Motivations

With current discussions in US politics surrounding applications like TikTok and Instagram reels, there has been a lot of scrutiny surrounding the implications of their targeted algorithms providing misinformation within "echo chambers" that users create by liking certain types of media. This project aims to replicate (albeit with a much older set of content) a social media algorithm to track whether or not users are able to discern fact from fiction. I believe this will be very popular with users, as there are a lot of people who would be very interested in seeing how the algorithms they use daily may affect them.

Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications:
  • Strong teamwork abilities
  • Able to complete work in a timely manner
  • Web Development (Handlebars, NodeJS)

Preferred Qualifications:
  • Content creation (AI?)
  • Database management (MariaDB)
  • Mobile application development


Details

Project Partner:

Nathan Bernstein

NDA/IPA:

No Agreement Required

Number Groups:

1

Project Status:

Accepting Applicants

Keywords:
MobileNew Product or Game
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