Social media promises global connection, but too often funnels us into tightly sealed bubbles. Today we debate whether those algorithmic bubbles harden our divides or simply reflect the world we already live in.

The debate motion: “This House believes Social media deepens divisions within communities.”

Social media platforms—defined as online networks that allow users to share content and interact at scale—have transformed how communities form and communicate. Proponents argue that algorithm-driven “echo chambers” entrench users within like-minded groups, amplifying polarisation and eroding shared local or civic identities. Critics counter that social media can also expose individuals to diverse viewpoints, facilitate grassroots organising across divides, and foster new forms of civic engagement.