When knowing more means doing less: Algorithmic knowledge and digital (dis)engagement among young adults

What if knowing how social media algorithms work doesn’t make you a more responsible digital citizen, but a more cynical one? A new survey of U.S. young adults finds that while higher algorithmic awareness and knowledge are linked to greater concerns about misinformation and filter bubbles, individuals with greater algorithmic awareness and knowledge are less likely to correct misinformation or engage with opposing viewpoints on social media—possibly reflecting limited algorithmic agency. The findings challenge common assumptions about algorithmic literacy and highlight the need for deeper educational and policy interventions that go beyond simply teaching how algorithms function.