Final answer:
Elias is in a filter bubble if he is only exposed to information that aligns with his existing beliefs, limiting his exposure to diverse perspectives and potentially polarizing views. An echo chamber would involve active participation in a community that avoids contrary opinions.
Step-by-step explanation:
Whether Elias is in a filter bubble or an echo chamber depends on his social media interactions. If Elias is only exposed to perspectives that reinforce his existing views and is not exposed to contrasting viewpoints, then he is in a filter bubble. This is problematic because it can limit a person's exposure to diverse perspectives and create a skewed understanding of reality. On the other hand, an echo chamber implies not only that Elias is receiving information that aligns with his views but also that he is actively participating in a closed-off community that dismisses or avoids contrary opinions.
Filter bubbles are created by algorithms designed to keep users engaged, inadvertently reinforcing their existing beliefs by presenting content that confirms those beliefs, or presenting dissenting views in an adversarial manner to incite reactions. This can contribute to increased polarization and a fragmented society where individuals hold vastly different sets of 'facts' and consider opposing views to be irrational.