Social media has long been a space for sharing ideas, entertainment, and connection. With the return of Donald Trump to the Oval Office, platforms like Meta and TikTok are undergoing significant shifts. Recent changes in platform policies, algorithm tweaks, and moderation practices have sparked concerns among users and digital rights activists, who claim that these changes may be tilting the online discourse in favor of right-wing extremist voices. GWUOHS students have mixed findings, with some noticing changes in their feed, and others not seeing major differences.
Meta’s Algorithm: A Conservative Shift?
In recent months, Meta has made significant changes to its content algorithms. One notable change is Meta’s relaxed content moderation policy regarding political misinformation. During the height of Trump’s previous presidency, platforms took a harsh stance on misinformation, particularly related to elections and COVID-19. But reports indicate that such policies have been softened, allowing more questionable content to circulate with fewer restrictions. In addition, Meta removed its long-standing third-party fact-checking program in the U.S. replacing it with a user-driven “community notes” system similar to that on X (formerly Twitter).
Meta’s official announcement stated that the previous fact-checking system censored too much “legitimate political debate” and “[made] too many mistakes.” They stated that limiting speech should have been part of a healthy discussion. Instead, by focusing their moderation on only the most severe or illegal content, they hope to simplify their policies and promote more “free expression” on their platforms. Critics worry that this shift will exacerbate the spread of misinformation as random users moderate content under the guise of community notes.
Sophomore Olivia T. noticed some changes in her feed since Instagram adjusted their policies.
“In the beginning, I did see a lot of political content on Instagram, including promotions for figures and opinions I didn’t agree with,” Olivia said. “Over time, I’ve noticed that the content I see now is more curated to my interests, but I still think these platforms lean toward reinforcing what users already believe rather than showing a balanced range of perspectives.”
Conversely, Audrey E., a senior at GWUOHS has not seen any difference in her feed.
“I use Instagram a lot, but I honestly have not noticed any change in the type of content I usually see on there politically.”
TikTok’s Role in Political Discourse
TikTok, the short-form video platform beloved to Gen Z, owned by the Chinese company ByteDance is also not immune to political influence. The app has faced intense scrutiny due to its Chinese ownership and perceived vulnerability to foreign interference. Starting in Trump’s first administration, TikTok became a political target, with calls for bans unless its U.S. operations were sold to an American company. After the ban was signed into law by former President Joe Biden, ByteDance refused to sell the app and on the evening of Jan. 18, TikTok went dark. Several thought that TikTok was gone, but President Trump announced he would be delaying the enforcement of the divest-or-ban law, bringing TikTok back to the USA within twelve hours.
Recent studies from PsyPost and Reuters suggest that TikTok has adjusted its rules on content deemed politically sensitive since the app shutdown, but critics say these changes disproportionately affect left-leaning creators and marginalized voices. Some have found that videos featuring various left leaning issues or topics such as “abortion” or “democrat” have been suppressed or removed by TikTok. At GWUOHS, some students have reported differences in their feeds.
“I use TikTok to both be entertained and to stay informed,” said Audrey. “While I have not noticed any unexpected political content appearing on my FYP recently, I have noticed that I’m not seeing a lot of information that used to be available to users on there before. For example, if I search up a controversial topic, the search engine will literally show no results. You could say I’ve actually been seeing a lot less political content there.”
Ajit G, a senior at GWUOHS, said that “as a proud TikTok netizen, I mostly use it for entertainment. As far as political content goes, I have seen a wide range of changes such as Democrat content being banned or removed from creator accounts and Republican content being more and more prominent.”
However, not all students have found differences in their content feeds.
“I know some people have noticed changes in algorithms or content, but all my social media platforms have been exactly the same,” said junior Annika O. “I think this whole experience with TikTok has made people aware of how everything should be taken with a grain of salt on the internet, which I think is a good thing, in my opinion.”
X’s (Formerly Twitter) Shift to the Right Wing
Since X (formerly Twitter) has been under Elon Musk’s ownership since October 2022, X has undergone a stark transformation, leaning heavily into right-wing discourse and policy shifts. Musk’s promise to restore “free speech” resulted in sweeping changes, including the reinstatement of banned accounts, many of which were associated with far-right figures and conspiracy theorists. These moves were celebrated by conservative commentators but have drawn criticism from digital rights organizations who warn that the platform has become a breeding ground for misinformation and extremism.
Musk also disbanded the platform’s content moderation team, replacing it with a community-based user note approach that lacks accountability. Research by The Guardian shows a significant uptick in hate speech and politically charged content, particularly from far-right influencers, since Musk’s acquisition of the platform. Additionally, X’s algorithm has been accused of promoting divisive and polarizing content, making it a central hub for right-wing narratives. Analysts have also revealed that Musk’s own posts propagating false claims about election integrity and immigration garnered widespread attention and increased concerns about the platform’s role in disseminating misleading information.
Additionally, Musk’s endorsement of Donald Trump in July 2024 marked a significant shift, with Musk contributing at least $260 million to efforts supporting Trump’s re-election campaign. This substantial financial backing underscored the beginning of deep ties between Musk and the Trump administration.
Expectedly, Musk’s donations and involvement with the Trump campaign was just the tip of the iceberg. Since Trump entered office, Musk has been appointed the head of the Department of Government’ Efficiency (DOGE) — a new government agency aimed to combat “wastages” and “government corruption”. Since then, Musk’s DOGE has made multiple questionable decisions, including cutting funding for key government welfare programs and laying off critical federal workers. Despite this, many of DOGE’s actions are being challenged for their constitutionality by federal courts. Additionally, Musk is likely to encounter resistance from other federal agency heads that believe he is overreaching.
The Impact on Student Social Media Habits
With these changes, many users and students are reconsidering how they engage with social media. For most, platforms like Instagram and TikTok have been their go-to sources for news, entertainment, and social interaction. But as feeds become more politicized, radicalized and potentially biased, trust among users is on the wane.
“The lack of an accurate and objective fact-checking system on many social media platforms adds to the issue of misinformation running rampant on social media,” said junior Elizabeth N. “If I see any political content on social media, regardless of its political direction, I always heavily doubt the information stated. I try to read traditional news sources for information, but I always make sure to read from sources across the political spectrum to try to take in the story accurately and weed out biases.”
“I don’t fully trust the news I see on social media because I know how easily misinformation spreads,” Olivia said. “While I do come across news updates on these platforms, I always double-check with more reliable sources like news websites or TV stations before believing or sharing anything. Social media can be a good starting point, but I don’t rely on it as my main source of information.”
Tech industry leaders, including Mark Zuckerberg (Meta), Elon Musk (X), Jeff Bezos (Amazon), and Sundar Pichai (Google), have been increasingly linked to Trump’s administration through public appearances and visible support at events such as the inauguration. Their close ties have raised concerns about how much influence the current administration may have over platform policies.
For now, students are adapting by becoming more discerning about where they get their information and how much time they spend on social media. Many acknowledge that these platforms remain essential for staying connected but emphasize the importance of balancing social media use with offline activities and critical thinking.
For Audrey, however, social media continues to stay the same, focusing on community support and staying abreast.
“I can see what’s happening on the news and talk about it with my family and friends but it’s nice to know there are others around the world who have similar thoughts as I do regarding the political state of the world right now,” Audrey said.
