A study by the Finnish think-tank Sitra found that social media algorithms predominantly serve young adults sensational, unverifiable, and right-wing political content. By using digital avatars in Finland, France, and Romania, researchers discovered that 67 percent of political posts were opinion-based “entertainment,” such as memes and AI videos, which are difficult to fact-check. The findings revealed a significant political bias, with 58 percent of content leaning right-wing, often persisting even when users expressed a preference for left-wing topics. This algorithmic behavior is particularly concerning because 42 percent of EU youth rely on social media as their primary news source, yet many report feeling negative emotions when encountering such polarizing material. Consequently, the researchers are calling for stricter enforcement of EU digital laws to mitigate these risks and preserve constructive civic discourse.
Date: March 10, 2026. Source: euobserver.com