How Political Beliefs Shape Social Media Design

Social media is more than just a place to share cat videos and memes. It carries the values of the people who create it. This article looks at how political beliefs shape the way social media platforms are designed.

#What We Did

We held workshops with representatives from different political parties in Finland. We wanted to see how their political views influenced the design of a fictional social media platform. Participants were divided into groups based on their political leanings: one group leaned right, two leaned left, and one mixed group included both.

#The Main Findings

The results showed clear differences in what each group wanted. The right-leaning group preferred a system where popular posts get more visibility, almost like a popularity contest. In contrast, the left-leaning groups liked the idea of a platform that encourages open discussions, without the pressure to compete for likes and shares.

#Political Ideologies as Value Systems

Political ideologies are systems of beliefs and values that guide how people think and act. When people with similar beliefs form political parties, they work together to promote their values. In the U.S., for example, you often hear about a simple Republican-Democrat divide. In Finland, where there are more parties, the landscape gets a bit more complicated.

There are dimensions to these ideologies. One axis deals with economic freedom, while another looks at societal diversity. For instance, on one side, you might have parties that want a lot of government oversight in the economy and push for progressive social policies. On the other side, you'll find parties that favor limited government and more traditional social values.

#How Ideologies Influence Design

As we dug into the participants' designs, we noticed that their political ideologies shaped their ideas about social media. The left-leaning groups supported ideas that reflect a higher level of community involvement and shared responsibility, while the right-leaning group emphasized personal responsibility and competition.

When we looked at the designs, we found that the left-leaning groups wanted to create spaces for everyone to share their thoughts freely. They focused on making it easier for users to join discussions without feeling overwhelmed by popularity metrics, like likes or shares. The right-leaning group, however, designed their platform as a competitive arena, where the most popular posts would have the most visibility.

#The Co-Design Workshops

The workshops had a mix of activities. First, participants brainstormed individual ideas about the challenges of social media. After that, they shared their thoughts with the group. Finally, they worked together to create a basic prototype of their social media platform, which we called "PoliPulse."

The aim was to give politically active Finns a place to share opinions and reduce polarization. Examples of what they designed included ways to justify opinions and structures for discussions.

#Differences in Design Choices

Based on our analysis of their designs, we noticed important distinctions in how the groups wanted to structure their platforms. The right-leaning group had a layout that resembled a marketplace where ideas competed for attention. In contrast, one of the left-leaning groups created a more traditional discussion forum.

The mixed group tried to combine features from both sides, but there were still noticeable differences in how they approached the design.

#Features and Affordances

We categorized the different features and affordances that emerged from the designs. Here’s what we found:

• Visibility and Popularity: Right-leaning groups liked the idea of metrics that showed how popular a post was. They believed this would help users gauge what was interesting. Left-leaning groups rejected this idea, fearing it would lead to shallow discussions.

• User Interaction: Most groups chose to create structured discussion forums. However, one left-leaning group opted for a design that allowed for more open interactions where users could move freely between topics.

• Moderation and Control: The right-leaning group emphasized strict moderation rules, while the left-leaning groups wanted a more user-driven approach. This meant left-leaning participants suggested allowing users to flag inappropriate posts instead of having a team of moderators.

• Profile Customization: There were also differences in how each group wanted users to present themselves. Left-leaning groups encouraged flexibility and creativity in profiles, allowing users to use pseudonyms. The right-leaning group, however, leaned towards real names to foster accountability.

#Why Politics Matter in Design

So why does this all matter? Political ideologies act as a framework of values that seep into our technologies. This is crucial, especially when we consider how technology impacts society.

In countries with democratic systems, elected representatives shape the laws that govern technology. With issues like the EU AI Act and privacy laws becoming more common, it’s clear that political values will continue to influence the tech landscape.

#Limitations of the Study

While our findings are insightful, they come with limitations. Our sample size was small, and we didn’t get a diverse set of right-leaning participants. Plus, political ideologies can change, so what we found might not hold true in the future.

#Implications for Future Work

For those working in social media design, it's essential to consider the values that political ideologies bring to the table. As society grows and changes, these considerations will be key in creating platforms that work for everyone.

This study suggests that researchers and designers should strive for diversity in political ideologies while working on projects with social relevance. By doing so, they can create platforms that represent a more comprehensive range of values and perspectives.

#Conclusion: Towards Political HCI?

Our exploration into social media design revealed that political ideologies influence the features and functions of these platforms. As social computing continues to evolve, it’s vital to engage with political science to understand the deeper implications of our designs.

By acknowledging the values embedded in technology, we can foster a more inclusive digital world that reflects a broader range of beliefs and opinions. This is not just about building platforms; it's about shaping our social discourse for the better.

In short, the next time you scroll through your feed, remember: behind those pixels and algorithms are a world of values waiting to be unraveled. So go ahead, think critically, and engage in those discussions. Your voice matters!