Facebook may actually make us more narrow-minded because we seek out news and views that tally with our opinions, according to a new study which contradicts the belief that the social media sites expand our world. The study shows social media isolates us, creating and facilitating confirmation biases and echo chambers where old - and sometimes erroneous - information is just regurgitated over and over again. Using data modelling researchers, including those from Boston University in the US, mapped the spread of two types of content: conspiracy theories and scientific information. "Our findings show that users mostly tend to select and share content related to a specific narrative and to ignore the rest. Also Read: Facebook Likes scam: Socialtrade.biz busted for duping thousands of Rs 3700 crore"Users show a tendency to search for, interpret, and recall information that confirm their pre-existing beliefs," he said.

Source: India Today February 10, 2017 10:58 UTC