关键词: 政府规制, 自媒体, 信息茧房, 公众认知行为, 三方演化博弈

Abstract: The concept of an “information cocoon”, also known as the echo chamber effect or information echo, refers to a phenomenon where prolonged exposure to homogenous information types prevents the reception of diverse viewpoints, thereby leading to the solidification of information pathways. This situation is akin to living within a self-contained cocoon. In pursuit of traffic and other gains, we-media platforms collect behavioral data from the public to identify their interests and hobbies. These platforms employ algorithmic filtering mechanisms that often exclude valuable information unaligned with public interest, perpetuating the circulation of outdated and uniform content. This practice hinders the free flow of information, diminishes the efficiency of information dissemination, and entraps the public within an information cocoon. Moreover, the dynamic nature of public interests and preferences, which evolve over time, is not adequately addressed by we-media's information distribution strategies. This results in a low differential in information potential, manifesting adverse effects. The competitive landscape among we-media platforms, driven by mutual interest, has escalated into a societal concern, impeding the efficient circulation of information. The societal need to address the information cocoon is urgent. Additionally, the leniency in relevant departmental regulations, lack of substantial penalties, and ineffective public grievance mechanisms further exacerbate this phenomenon. The interplay of internet technology, algorithmic filtering, and we-media platforms has increasingly highlighted the information cocoon as a significant social issue, affecting the efficient flow of information.
In this era of advanced social media, it is crucial to resolve the information cocoon dilemma resulting from the information dissemination process of we-media. It necessitates strengthening governmental regulation in the information domain. Hence, this paper proposes to construct a game-theoretic model involving the government, we-media, and the public. This model analyzes the decision-making behaviors of these actors and their impact on stakeholders, aiming to identify an optimal systemic strategy. This approach serves as a theoretical reference for government interventions in managing the we-media information cocoon and fosters enhanced governance in social networks. The paper focuses on three primary questions: (1)What effective regulatory actions should government authorities implement to oversee we-media's decision-making? (2)How can we-media refine their information distribution methods to mitigate the information cocoon effect and guide public cognition in a structured and scientific manner? (3)Given an understanding of the causes behind the information cocoon, how can the public be effectively directed to circumvent it?
This study methodically analyzes the strategic choices of each party under governmental oversight, using MATLAB simulations to examine the effects of various regulatory policies and exploring how key factor variations influence the strategies of the three entities involved. The goal is to discover the most effective strategy for managing the we-media information cocoon. The findings indicate that effective information regulation necessitates government investment in establishing robust regulatory measures. By augmenting penalties and other regulatory interventions, governments can significantly enhance the likelihood of we-media adhering to regulations, which is crucial for achieving evolutionary stability and ensuring the free flow of information within this context. The compliance behavior of we-media is influenced by the revenue generated from such adherence. Thus, curbing and standardizing we-media behavior and fostering a diverse information environment can effectively prevent the public from becoming ensnared in the information cocoon.
Regulating the we-media information cocoon is a complex task, involving multiple stakeholders. This study does not delve deeply into the specific characteristics of we-media violations across different platforms. Future research will conduct a more thorough analysis based on emblematic cases of the information cocoon phenomenon.

Key words: government regulation, we-media, information cocoons, the public's cognitive behavior, tripartite evolutionary game