Dead Internet theory

High school (ages 12+)
Thinking & Learning

Name:

Date:

Step 1 · Read the article

Open the article and read it at the level above. Then answer the questions below in your own words.

https://smallwhale.org/articles/dead-internet-theory

Write what each word means, using the article.

Do not copy the article. Write two things you learned, the way you would explain them to a friend.

Answers below are taken from the article’s stored facts, so they match what the student read.

1. What is the theory's proposed timeline?Significant increase in bot activity and automated content since approximately 2016
2. What is the alleged objectives?Population control, consumer influence, and manipulation of public opinion
3. Why do people think the internet might be full of bots?People noticed that comments and posts look very similar on different sites, and search results seem made to get clicks more than to give correct answers. These patterns made them wonder if computers are doing most of the work.
4. How can bots change what we see online?Bots can change search results, repeat the same messages, and make it look like many people agree with something. This can make real human voices harder to hear.

Coordinated Inauthentic Behavior: Actions by groups of accounts working together to deceive or manipulate online.
Algorithmic Amplification: How algorithms promote content, potentially favoring bot-generated material.
Digital Literacy: The ability to critically evaluate and use digital information and technologies.