Algorithms, Outrage, Radicalization, and Raising Resilient Kids in an Increasingly Online Polarized World
- The White Hatter
- Sep 14
- 5 min read
Caveat - this our last article in a 3 article series (1)(2)
Parents and caregivers often wonder why the loudest and most extreme voices seem to dominate our social media feeds. The answer lies in the design of the platforms themselves. Algorithms are built to maximize engagement, and nothing fuels scrolling like outrage. Anger, fear, and shock keep people glued to their screens. As a result, fringe voices, whether on the far left or far right, appear larger than they really are. They know this, and are leveraging technology, the internet, and social media to push their ideology in a three-step process:
1. Identify and lock onto a specific audience.
Extremist voices don’t try to reach everyone. They deliberately narrow their focus to a group that feels unheard, marginalized, or already frustrated. By isolating this audience via social media, they can tailor their messaging in ways that feel personal and validating.
2. Fuel outrage to trigger algorithmic amplification.
Social media thrives on strong emotional reactions, and outrage is the most reliable fuel. By flooding feeds with content designed to provoke anger or fear, these actors exploit platform algorithms that prioritize engagement. The result is a self sustaining digital ecosystem where their content gets pushed further and faster, reaching beyond their original base.
3. Construct an “us versus them” identity.
Once the digital echo chamber takes shape, the next step is shaping a collective identity rooted in division. By framing issues in black-and-white terms, heroes versus villains, insiders versus outsiders, they give followers a sense of belonging and purpose. This binary narrative not only deepens loyalty but also hardens hostility toward anyone labeled as the “other.”
The freedom of expression (in Canada) and freedom of speech (in the United States) are cornerstone rights meant to protect open dialogue, dissent, and diversity of thought both online and offline. Unfortunately, these freedoms are increasingly being leveraged and weaponized by extremes on both ends of the political spectrum to advance ideological agendas. Those driving these agendas have long recognized the power of technology, the internet, social media, and algorithms to project their voices far beyond their actual size. Ideas that once hid in the darker corners of the web are now shared openly and with growing confidence on mainstream platforms. These public spaces act as gateways: algorithms capture young attention, then funnel them “off-platform” into private chat groups where ideological radicalization takes root.
Some social media companies, in turn, have become complicit in this process. Their algorithms are designed to prioritize engagement over balance, and outrage is the most reliable driver of clicks, shares, and profits. The result is a feedback loop where extreme voices, and conflict entrepreneurs dominate feeds, giving the impression that they represent the majority. In reality, they do not, but the algorithmic megaphone makes them appear larger than life.
However, presenting across our country we have found that those extremes are not representative of most Canadians. The majority of people live somewhere in the middle, quietly going about their lives, exhausted by how reason and respectful conversation are often drowned out by digital noise. The challenge is that when this middle majority remains silent online, the extremes continue to take up more space than they deserve.
We’ve found that silence often stems from fear. Speaking up can invite attacks from all sides, as large groups of followers are mobilized online to swarm and punish dissent. Digital mobs become a weapon, making many people choose quiet over conflict.
For young people, this distortion can be especially dangerous. Youth and teens who are still forming their worldviews may mistake these amplified extremes as a reflection of everyday society. What’s missing in their feeds is the quiet majority, ordinary Canadians and Americans who value respect, compromise, and community but are often drowned out by the noise. If left unchecked, this digital environment can normalize division and erode empathy and promote violence.
As Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. once warned,
“The ultimate weakness of violence is that it is a descending spiral, begetting the very thing it seeks to destroy. Instead of diminishing evil, it multiplies it. Through violence you may murder the liar, but you cannot murder the lie, nor establish the truth. Through violence you may murder the hater, but you do not murder hate. In fact, violence merely increases hate. Returning violence for violence multiplies violence, adding deeper darkness to a night already devoid of stars. Darkness cannot drive out darkness: only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate: only love can do that.”
While King was speaking about physical violence, his words resonate powerfully in today’s digital world. Online hostility begets more hostility, and outrage multiplies itself in echo chambers. Just as violence cannot extinguish violence, feeding anger online cannot create truth, empathy, or unity. It only deepens division.
Parents and caregivers need to help their kids recognize this distortion. Social media does not reflect the full reality of democratic life, but rather the parts that make the most money for platforms and those who benefit from such polarization. By teaching our kids to step back, question what they see, and seek out balanced sources of information, we can help them resist the pull of ideological radicalization online. This is why teaching youth and teens about digital literacy is even more important today than ever before.
Healing doesn’t come from persuading those who are committed to divisive ideologies. It comes from the majority remembering its collective strength and modelling healthier engagement for the next generation. Parents and caregivers can support their kids in this endeavour in several ways:
Normalize balance: Point out how most people in your community, workplace, or school are not screaming at each other but working together, often quietly and effectively.
Highlight real-world connection: Encourage in-person conversations, family dinners, and community involvement as reminders that empathy grows face-to-face, not just online.
Teach digital literacy: Help your kids question why a particular post showed up in their feed. Ask, “Who benefits if this makes you angry?”
Model calm responses: Show your children that you don’t always need to react or share when something provocative appears online. Silence and discernment are strengths.
As parents and caregivers, we have an opportunity to remind our kids that democracy doesn’t thrive in extremes; it flourishes in dialogue, cooperation, and human connection even when we disagree. By equipping them to recognize algorithmic traps and encouraging them to step into the middle ground, we not only protect their mental health, but also strengthen the resilience of our communities.
The middle is not powerless. In fact, it’s where most people live. The more we help our kids see that, the less sway the extremes will hold over the next generation.
Digital Food for Thought
The White Hatter
Facts Not Fear, Facts Not Emotions, Enlighten Not Frighten, Know Tech Not No Tech
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