Social media fuels political polarization among Brazil’s young voters

A qualitative study of 24 Brazilian young adults aged 21‑34, conducted in 2022, found that social‑media platforms are reshaping how this cohort engages with politics. Participants reported increased isolation, personalization of political content and a rise in polarization, a pattern the researcher calls “curadoria do eu” – a self‑curation practice where users filter out disagreeing views to protect themselves from anxiety and fatigue.

The study notes that this generation makes up about 29 % of Brazil’s electorate and largely lacks experience of politics without digital mediation. The phenomenon is traced back to the 2013 “Jornadas de Junho” protests, which coincided with the spread of Web 2.0. Researchers warn that the self‑curation and homogenisation of opinions could diminish public debate and influence future elections, potentially shaping Brazil’s political landscape for decades.