The Algorithm Made Me Think Everyone Was Dying And That’s a Problem

There has been a string of celebrity deaths recently, including Dolly Parton, Hayden Panettiere, and Tim Curry. Their deaths have sparked conversations about their legacies, the visibility they brought to Black and queer communities, and issues such as mental health, postpartum depression, addiction, domestic violence, and the pressures of growing up in the spotlight.

While mourning alongside others on TikTok, I noticed something. My For You Page suddenly seemed to be filled with videos about celebrities who had passed away. One after another, celebrity deaths appeared on my screen. It almost felt like the Grim Reaper was on a wicked and cruel streak.

The comments seemed to agree with me, which made my assumption feel even more real to me.

But then I had a conversation with a coworker about how hard the algorithm was working.

I realized that some of the videos I was seeing about other celebrity deaths weren't actually recent. Some had been posted weeks, months, or even years ago. Because I had been watching and searching for videos about Dolly, Hayden, and Tim, TikTok's algorithm learned that I was interested in this type of content and it kept giving me more of it.

The algorithm wasn't necessarily lying to me. It was simply showing me more of what it thought I wanted to see.

You might be wondering: Why is it a problem that an algorithm made me think everyone was dying?

Because it showed me how easily an algorithm can shape our perception of what is happening around us. If my feed could make me believe there was a sudden wave of celebrity deaths, what happens when the information being amplified is about politics, elections, or issues that directly affect our communities?

As the midterms approach, it's more important than ever to pause, question what we see, and fact-check before we believe or share it.

Information Is Everywhere

There is an incredible amount of information online. Something that happened years ago can appear on your feed right next to something that happened just seconds ago.

We have more access to information than ever before, but having access to information doesn't automatically mean that the information is accurate.

And sometimes, misinformation doesn't look like misinformation.

It can look like a well-edited TikTok. It can have thousands of likes and comments. It can come from someone who sounds confident and knowledgeable. It can even confirm something you already believe.

That's why fact-checking matters.

As we get closer to the midterm elections, our social media feeds will be filled with political content. Candidates will make claims. Organizations will share information. Creators and influencers will discuss issues. And our algorithms will continue deciding which pieces of that content appear in front of us.

The algorithm can be useful, but it can also give us a very narrow view of what's happening.

If you interact with one type of political content, you may start seeing more and more of the same perspective. Eventually, it can feel like everyone thinks the same way you do or that one issue is more important than it actually is. Meanwhile, information outside of what you normally engage with may never reach your feed.

That's why we have to be intentional about the information we consume—especially during an election.

Before you share a post, repeat a statistic, or make a decision based on something you saw online, take a moment to ask:

Where did this information come from?

Is the source credible?

Is the information current, or is an old story being presented as new?

Can I find the same information from another reliable source?

And when it comes to voting, don't rely solely on your For You Page. Look for information from trusted and official sources, especially when it comes to voter registration, voting deadlines, polling locations, candidates, and how and where to cast your ballot.

With the midterms approaching, being informed means more than simply seeing information. It means taking the time to understand where that information came from and whether it's accurate.

We don't have to believe everything we see. We don't have to share something just because it went viral. And we don't have to let an algorithm decide what information matters to us.

Pause. Check. Question. Verify. Then share.

Because during an election, misinformation isn't just another post on your feed. It can shape how people understand the issues, how they view the political process, and whether they feel informed enough to participate in our democracy.