Social Media-Driven Polarisation in the United States: Mechanisms, Policy Gaps, and Recommendations

Currently, political polarisation in the United States has reached crisis levels, posing a threat to the integrity of its long-standing democratic system. Yet many remain unaware of the role social media platforms play in influencing this division through algorithmic curation and misinformation. On the user level, social media platforms exploit vulnerabilities such as media illiteracy and perceived anonymity to drive engagement for their own economic incentive. Current policies, including Section 230 reforms and state-wide initiatives, show promise but are misdirected in addressing the underlying mechanisms on social media that propagate polarisation. This paper examines the glaring policy gap surrounding social media regulation and its lackluster effects on curbing polarising content on platforms. In response, this paper evaluates alternative policy models outside the United States to propose a comprehensive set of policy recommendations tailored to today's context. Together, this paper aims to dissect and raise awareness of media-driven polarisation to safeguard democracy and social cohesion.