A PREDICTIVE MODEL OF SOCIAL MEDIA ALGORITHM IMPACT ON GENERATION Z DECISION-MAKING

Cella-Flavia BUCIUMAN, Monica WOLFF

Abstract


Born between 1997 and 2012, Generation Z is the first generation to have matured within the ecosystem of algorithmic social media platforms. This study extends the authors' previous research on personalized social media content bias among Romanian Generation Z users by developing a predictive model through advanced econometric analysis. Building upon questionnaire data collected from 189 Romanian university students aged 18-27, this research identifies and quantifies correlations between algorithmic exposure variables and decision-making outcomes. The study explores the predictive relationships between social media usage patterns, platform preferences, perceived algorithmic influence, and subsequent decision-making behaviors. The findings contribute to the growing body of literature on digital influence by providing quantitative, predictive insights into how algorithmic personalization specifically affects the decision-making processes of Generation Z.

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