Bluesky, a decentralized (meaning it is not controlled by a single central authority, with governance and data distributed among multiple nodes) social media platform which gained many users in recent months, including scientists, promises algorithmic freedom to users, who can choose what content they wish to see (1). However, as explained below, Bluesky risks perpetuating echo chambers and exacerbating polarization—issues it seeks to resolve.
Bluesky’s decentralized model places moderation largely in the hands of third-party labelers (i.e., independent individuals or organizations who flag or categorize social media content) and community-specific algorithms (i.e., automated systems shaped or developed by specific communities to reflect their shared norms, interests, and moderation standards) (1). While the decentralized model allows users to shape and curate their online experience – often by filtering out content that may perceive as offensive or enraging – this flexibility risks promoting the existence of isolated, like-minded groups of people on social media, because each community can maintain and reinforce its own norms (2). Such echo chambers exacerbate polarization, reduce exposure to diverse viewpoints, and hinder constructive dialogue. Furthermore, unclear content moderation policies (such as those currently used by Bluesky) that aim to counter misinformation often rely on censorship, which does not address the root causes of misinformation, deepening mistrust and further promoting echo chambers (3).
Social media platforms should design algorithms that encourage diverse interactions and promote collaboration across ideological divides — an essential step in addressing global challenges, mitigating misinformation, and strengthening public discourse. The solution does not lie in creating new platforms that merely rearrange existing problems but in fundamentally redesigning digital spaces. This involves reducing polarization by exposing users to a variety of perspectives, even those that challenge their beliefs, while empowering them to critically engage with information through strategies that promote the skills to understand, evaluate, and use information effectively.
Federico Germani and Giovanni Spitale
References:
- Kleppmann, M., et al. “Bluesky and the AT Protocol: Usable Decentralized Social Media”, ArXiv (preprint), 2024.
- Huang, T., “Decentralized Social Networks and the Future of Free Speech Online”, ArXiv (preprint), 2024.
- Germani F., et al. “Ethical Considerations in Infodemic Management: Systematic Scoping Review”, JMIR Infodemiology, 2024.
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