Bias, Skew, and Search Engines Are Sufficient to Explain Online Toxicity.

The article discusses the role online engagement algorithms may play in reinforcing user information proclivities, thereby promoting online toxicity. These algorithms drive users towards content reinforcing their existing beliefs, contributing to the fragmentation of discourse. According to the article, however, recent research suggests that users consume such content because they want it, regardless of algorithmic influence. The article suggests that implementing an online comment-history disclosure system could promote digital citizenship by encouraging users to reflect on their past behavior while maintaining anonymity. It also asserts that examining the impact of different interface technologies, such as search engines and social media algorithms, on online discourse dynamics is crucial for understanding and addressing toxicity and suggests that human-moderated platforms like Wikipedia offer insights into mitigating toxicity by fostering constructive engagement and critical discourse among users with diverse perspectives.