Algorithms notice what you interact with and use it to show you content linked to your identity like your interests, culture, gender, or how you see yourself. This can be a good thing. It can help you find people, stories, and communities you relate to, making you feel seen and included.
But it’s not always positive. Identity-related content can sometimes include stereotypes, labels, or strong opinions. Comment sections can also be unkind or hostile. Because algorithms boost posts that get lots of reactions, they may show more content that causes arguments or drama instead of calm, balanced conversations.
Content can also push for diagnoses of things that you might or might not have, like autism or ADHD.
Knowing how this works helps you think more carefully about what shows up in your feed and reminds you that the algorithm is choosing content to get attention, not to define who you are.
My feed is just pretty girls. Also girls like me. At first, it would just be different ethnicity girls people who don't necessarily look like me, like white women, celebrities, influencers. But now I've tried to just look at content of people who look like me so I can relate to that… I think because obviously beauty standards are different. So me comparing myself to a white woman who obviously I don't look like isn't realistic. She might have different features to what I have. It's good for me seeing someone who looks like me.’
‘The comment sections you're able to filter what words you did or didn't want. So because I'm gay and trans, I would block those words from my comment section, so people aren't allowed to come in and talk about who I was as a person. And if I saw names I didn't recognise I would just delete the comment. I think TikTok's really good for that in you can set a feature where you have to manually approve every single comment.’
‘My little sister has autism and a lot of my friends have autism. And social media is constantly trying to convince me I’ve either got autism or ADHD... I know how autism is diagnosed because I have experience with friends and family being diagnosed with autism. Social media really wants you to think you’re in a certain category… it's a bit intense.’
‘I see it used a lot for hatred towards other people. Like on TikTok. On Instagram actually like it would be something as innocent as, I don't know, somebody working out or somebody showing you their cool dress that they just got And the comments will just be absolutely rancid.’
Seeing content about identity — like culture, gender, sexuality, mental health, or how your brain works — can be really positive. It can help you feel understood, less alone, and proud of who you are.
Some videos about things like autism, ADHD, or mental health can help people learn more about themselves. But if your feed keeps pushing labels or diagnoses, it can also feel confusing, overwhelming, or like you’re expected to fit into a box.
There can also be pressure around how people “should” look or act, especially girls and women. These messages can be unfair and hurt confidence.
Even when a video is supportive, the comments can be nasty. Repeatedly seeing bullying, racism, sexism, or homophobia can be upsetting and make online spaces feel unsafe.
• How does seeing content about people “like you” affect how you feel about yourself?
• What could be good — and not so good — about an algorithm grouping people based on things like gender, culture, or interests?
• How does seeing content about people “like you” affect how you feel about yourself?
• What could be good — and not so good — about an algorithm grouping people based on things like gender, culture, or interests?
• Follow creators who make you feel seen, and mute/unfollow accounts that leave you tense or upset, even if they’re popular. Muting is a good way to take a break if you’re not ready to unfollow.
• Turn on hidden words/keyword filters for anything offensive, bullying terms, and phrases that annoy you.
• Use restricted mode, privacy settings, and comment approval (where available) to limit who can reach you and reduce random hate.
• Don’t feed conflict. Arguing in comments can make the app show you more of the same. If it’s harmful, report, block and move on.
