How Algorithms Shape What You See

Introduction 
Every time we open TikTok, Instagram, YouTube, or even Google, we think we’re seeing the internet, but we’re not. We’re seeing our internet: a personalized feed shaped by a system that we didn't design and may not fully understand. Algorithms are the engines behind that experience. They're constantly analyzing behavior: what users watch, pause, skip, like, and ignore, and using that data to predict what will keep them engaged longest. The result isn't a neutral reflection of the world. It's a prediction engine optimized for attention. This video breaks down how algorithms actually work: the five-step loop platforms use to collect signals, score content, run experiments, train future feeds, and reinforce engagement over time. It also gives teachers and students practical tools for reclaiming some control; not by logging off, but by making more intentional choices about where their attention goes. Understanding algorithms isn't just a tech skill. It's a media literacy skill that is increasingly becoming a citizenship skill. 

How to Use This Guide 
The platforms we use every day are not neutral. Every feed, search result, and recommendation is shaped by algorithms designed to capture attention; not just to inform, educate, or reflect reality accurately. Most students are aware of social media, but few have a clear picture of the systems driving what they see. This guide will support students and educators in understanding how algorithms work and why that matters, giving them a practical framework for making more intentional choices about their attention, their feeds, and the information they encounter online.