The Illusion of Everyone Agreeing and the SNS Traps Behind Takachi’s Big Win With 3 Ways to Protect Yourself

Open your smartphone, and you’re bombarded with videos and opinions that match your own every day. Do you feel reassured thinking, “Everyone thinks the same way”? In reality, it’s not necessarily because you’re correct—it could simply mean you’re trapped in an invisible cage created by social media algorithms called a filter bubble.

Based on the explanation by Saki Takamiya, Deputy Chief Researcher at Dai-ichi Life Research Institute, we explore the dangerous mechanisms of social media that manipulate our thinking and the concrete measures to escape these traps.

The Invisible Cage: Filter Bubble

Online searches and social media use algorithms that judge user preferences and needs to prioritize information you want to see while blocking information you aren’t interested in. Being exposed only to information you’re interested in creates a state known as a filter bubble.

The Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications’ 2023 White Paper on Information and Communications notes:

“By continuously receiving information distributed via algorithms, users tend to only encounter information that interests them, creating a state called a filter bubble, as if wrapped in an information membrane. Inside this bubble, opinions similar to one’s own gather while opposing views are filtered out, making it hard to even notice the bubble’s existence.”

The white paper also points out that social media and other platforms gather users with similar interests, returning opinions that reinforce one’s own, a phenomenon called an echo chamber.

Hearing similar opinions repeatedly makes people more likely to believe them as correct and unquestionable.

Takamiya warns about this information environment:

“Bias not only becomes visible but gradually forms, making it difficult for users to recognize. It can feel like a comfortable information environment, so users may not notice that the range of information they encounter is narrowed.”

Furthermore, such comfortable spaces can make extreme opinions spread more easily. Takamiya comments on online psychology:

“On the internet, there are people who genuinely believe the content and those who post extreme comments for entertainment. Some may deliberately post strong opinions or rebuttals to get reactions on social media.”

Takaichi’s Landslide Victory and Clipped Videos

The influence of social media extends beyond politics to areas like health products. YouTube and other platforms’ clipped videos (short clips) are spreading and increasing their presence online.

In the February 8 House of Representatives election, the Liberal Democratic Party led by Sanae Takaichi won a historic landslide. While this reflects public opinion, some reports highlighted Takaichi’s dominance on social media.

Various media outlets have analyzed the election results. On February 17, Mainichi Shimbun’s online edition reported on “Why the ‘Hijacking of the Information Space’ by Takaichi Happened (Experts).” They noted the rapid spread of clipped videos on platforms like YouTube.

Asahi Shimbun reported on February 22 online: “The World of Election Videos Expanded Tenfold in Two Years: Takaichi’s Exceptional Presence.”

According to Election.com, from January 27 to February 8, about 90,000 election-related videos were uploaded to YouTube, generating roughly 2.8 billion views. Key points include:

・Individual clips related to Takaichi had 450 million views, standing out sharply

・Videos posted by political parties or candidates accounted for less than 20%, while “third-party” uploads made up 80%

During the election, clipped videos about favored candidates spread rapidly, much like fan activity, possibly influencing election results.

This impact of clipped videos and algorithms doesn’t just affect politics—it also reaches everyday life.

Regarding their influence, Takamiya notes they may even drive health product marketing:

“When talking to friends raising children, they mention seeing Instagram or short videos recommending specific health products, like ones for children with tantrums.”

Short videos extract only certain segments, delivering concise and impactful messages. However, important context often exists before and after the clip, and understanding the full picture allows for better judgment.

Takamiya adds:

“Sometimes, when pressed for time, people rely on short videos for efficiency. But I worry whether users can truly recognize the characteristics and issues of these videos, including who the creator is.”

In her report, Takamiya explains that in online spaces, filter bubbles reduce the effort needed to search for information, creating a sense of comfort and agreement. However, she warns that sustained exposure to differing perspectives or counter-evidence decreases, simplifying users’ understanding of society and posing a risk to informed judgment.

Three Measures for Self-Defense

Understanding the characteristics of online searches and social media, Takamiya emphasizes the importance of user-side self-governance. Specifically, she recommends:

１＿Try searches that include terms like counterargument, limitations, or alternative explanations.

２＿Don’t rely solely on social media information—also look at the original sources (primary information).

３＿Avoid immediately sharing posts on social media that provoke a strong reaction; take a moment to pause first.

Countries around the world are taking measures regarding social media use. Last year, Australia introduced a law restricting SNS use for those under 16. It limits the creation of new accounts and possession of existing accounts, with fines potentially imposed on operators who violate the law. Reports indicate that Spain’s Prime Minister has announced a similar policy, showing that European countries are also moving to regulate young users.

Regarding trends in Western regulation, Takamiya comments:

“In the U.S., research using large-scale behavioral data has accumulated on the relationship between politics and social media, and more states are introducing regulations. The EU is moving toward more comprehensive regulations.”

European regulations allow users to opt out of profiling, which predicts characteristics of individuals based on fragmented online information.

About Japan, Takamiya notes:

“Just as financial education is incorporated in schools, it would be desirable to include education on proper social media use as well.”

To ensure exposure to diverse viewpoints and opinions, it is important to understand the nature of social media and use it appropriately.