Social media and internet not cause of political polarization, new research suggests

The argument against echo chambers is well documented: helped by social media algorithms, we are increasingly choosing to interact in safe spaces, with people who think and act like us - effectively preaching our opinions to the converted. As a result, this behaviour is distorting our world view and, in the process, our ability to compromise, which in turn, stimulates political polarisation. However, new Oxford University research suggests that social media and the internet are not the root of today's fragmented society, and echo chambers may not be the threat...