Keywords

Israel Hamas War; Campus Protests; October 7; Social Identity Theory; Social Movement Theory

Abstract

This study examines the impact of social media on the polarization of opinions regarding the Israel-Hamas war, particularly among U.S. college students. Following the outbreak of the war in October 2023, social media platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, X, and TikTok have facilitated the spread of highly partisan narratives, fueling ideological divides. The study highlights how social media contributes to the increase in antisemitic and Islamophobic sentiments, exacerbating societal tensions. Through 25 structured qualitative interviews with college students, the research explores how social media algorithms shape perceptions by reinforcing preexisting beliefs through echo chambers and filter bubbles. Taken as a whole, participants reported frequent exposure to ideologically aligned content, leading to selective engagement with information that supports their viewpoints while disregarding opposing perspectives. This phenomenon intensifies political polarization and influences campus activism, as social media serves both as an organizing tool and a medium for ideological reinforcement. The study mostly draws from theories of the networked public sphere, cyberbalkanization, and social movement theory (SMT) to analyze the fragmented discourse surrounding the war. The findings suggest that while social media provides quick access to information, its algorithmic design fosters ideological divisions, limiting exposure to diverse perspectives and complicating efforts to foster critical thinking and informed decision-making.

Thesis Completion Year

2025

Thesis Completion Semester

Spring

Thesis Chair

Matusitz, Jonathan

College

College of Sciences

Department

Nicholson School of Communication and Media

Thesis Discipline

Communication Studies

Language

English

Access Status

Open Access

Length of Campus Access

None

Campus Location

Orlando (Main) Campus

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Rights Statement

In Copyright