Teens discover how algorithms shape their online experiences at SCRF 2024
Sharjah Children’s Reading Festival creates a unique opportunity for teenagers to understand how to overcome algorithm limitations to harness the full potential of social media platforms
Sharjah, May 12, 2024
The immense possibilities posed by the world of social media have been gripping the young and the old alike, but navigating wisely is not something that everyone is adept at. An opportunity to understand the science behind it was made available to children attending the Sharjah Children’s Reading Festival (SCRF) in Expo Centre Sharjah at the “Algorithm Explorers: Understanding How Social Media Works” session.
Aya Badr, a copywriter who is active on social media in her personal and official capacity, decoded the mysterious ways of algorithms to young social media users mostly in their teens. Introducing an algorithm to her audience, she explained that it is basically a tool that social media uses to track what users share, what they watch and why the same kind of content keeps coming back on their feeds. She advised them to explore more, be more open, search other content and topics in order to overcome algorithm limitations.
“Algorithms can make out whether you are male or female, your age, your likes and so on. If you watch a full video of something, it means you like it and they track that and keep giving you the same kind of content. For instance, if you watch football, you will keep seeing more football videos. So don’t like or share anything you see unless you actually like it. Have an open eye and watch more content,” she advised them.
She added: “You might think that Instagram or TikTok is watching you over camera, but they are just tracking you through algorithms and ads. It is a good thing and a bad thing because you are limiting yourself and missing certain things like science or political news. Also don’t believe everything you see or hear but look for more information from other sources.”
The children left wiser and better skilled to overcome algorithm limitations and the fast-changing world of social media.
The workshops are a big draw at SCRF 2024, which is offering the region’s largest platform for cultural and artistic appreciation with theatrical performances, culinary demonstrations, workshops in STEM, social media, music, and several exciting competitions, activities, animation events.
SCRF 2024, which will come to a close on May 12, has the theme “Once Upon a Hero”. The action-packed festival for young readers, artists and creatives as well as their families showcases millions of books including latest releases in children’s and Young Adult (YA) literature from across the globe.
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