What even is an algorithm?

Noun: a step-by-step procedure for solving a problem or accomplishing some end (Merriam-Webster)

We use algorithms in our day-to-day lives, especially in our online activities. Algorithms take information in, can provide predictions, and are becoming increasingly important as they power artificial intelligence (AI).

Noun: “a unique universe of information for each of us … which fundamentally alters the way we encounter ideas and information.” (internet activist, Eli Pariser).

Algorithms collect data based on what you seem to like and try to predict similar content you’ll want to see next. This preference bubble creates a narrow view of things it thinks you will like - potentially hiding difficult information and different opinions from you.

Noun: Someone “who uses the Internet regularly and effectively” to participate in society online. (Karen Mossberger et al., MIT Press)

Good digital citizenship is fundamental for responsible participation in the 21st Century world. This can range from how we connect with others online, to political and civic engagement with real-world impact.

You would want to know when you’re not seeing the whole truth, right? Every day we're shown search results, video recommendations, and targeted ads based on the data we give algorithms. This content forms a ‘preference bubble’ around us that can be surprisingly different from the bubbles our closest friends find themselves in.

Algorithms are shaping how we perceive the world, and this in turn shapes the world. The decisions algorithms make for us impact our lives, but we also influence their behaviour with our every click. That’s why it’s more important than ever that we understand how they work.

Are kids too young to learn about this stuff? We don’t think so.

Most kids learn how to use the internet from a young age, which means they’re growing up surrounded by algorithms. In this reality, it's crucial to be algorithm literate: to understand what algorithms are and how they can present a narrow view of the world. Kids should be given the tools to know when they're not getting the whole truth.