Visualizing Children's Filter Bubbles: A Digital Window for Bridging Social Media Experiences

Social media platforms use recommender systems to personalize user experiences by tailoring content to individual preferences and behaviors. While this personalization increases engagement, it also contributes to the formation of filter bubbles-isolated digital environments where users predominantly encounter information and perspectives that align with their existing beliefs. Such narrowing of content can limit exposure to diverse viewpoints, reinforcing biases and shaping perceptions. For children, still developing their critical thinking and understanding of the world, filter bubbles can be especially influential, shaping their worldviews in ways that may escape parental oversight. This paper utilizes SOAP, a sockpuppet auditing tool, to actively steer and analyze social media feeds, replicating the distinct filter bubbles experienced by children. Based on this data, we developed an interactive interface that visualizes these bubbles, offering parents a clearer understanding of the content their children encounter online. By enabling comparisons between generational digital experiences, the interface supports digital literacy and encourages open discourse about online content. This tool helps families explore the effects of algorithmic personalization together, promoting awareness and fostering healthier, more informed digital consumption habits.