Is social media a good platform to discuss political issues?
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| Papers (10) | Insight |
|---|---|
| In addition to that, social media is a vital platform for netizens to participate in real-life political activities. | |
07 Nov 2019 16 Citations | Social Media platforms are increasingly being used for political activities and communication, and research suggests that social media design and use is contributing to the polarization of the public sphere. |
47 Citations | By contrast, we show that political engagement on social media may revitalize party activities because these platforms are means for both party members and ordinary citizens to discuss politics and engage with and around political parties. |
794 Citations | There is mounting concern that social media sites contribute to political polarization by creating “echo chambers” that insulate people from opposing views about current events. |
15 May 2015 20 Citations | Alternatively, social media might be a platform for an identity driven form of political discourse that is routinely scorned by scholars of democracy. |
40 Citations | We find that politicians actively use social media to frame issues by choosing both topics to discuss and specific hashtags within topics, and that recognizably divisive issues receive the most framing efforts. |
| Social media provides new platforms for political participation and ideological categorization. | |
| Social media, it is argued, are characterized by less distinct boundaries between non-political and political activities, thereby lowering thresholds into political engagement. | |
47 Citations | This suggests that political discussions on social media can narrow the divide in party-related engagement between members and nonmembers, and to some extent flatten rather than reinforce existing political hierarchies. |
| This Facebook group formed a unique platform where unmediated debates and discussions between the public and medical experts took place. The comments on the social media, as well as the socio-demographic profiles of the commentators, suggest that social media is an active and versatile debate and discussion-facilitating platform in the context of vaccinations. |
Related Questions
How does social media affect politics?4 answersSocial media significantly impacts politics by influencing political involvement, voter decisions, and political engagement. Studies show that social media is utilized by politicians to connect with citizens, especially among millennials who spend considerable time on social platforms seeking political information. Additionally, social media enhances young adults' political engagement and understanding of politics. It also affects citizens' willingness to participate in elections and engage in political protests through the mediation of political trust. Overall, social media plays a crucial role in shaping political narratives, candidate perceptions, and citizen participation in the political process.
How does political communication on social media impact social change?4 answersPolitical communication on social media has a significant impact on social change. Social media platforms such as Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok are being used by both "good" and "bad" political actors to disseminate information and influence public opinion. These platforms have transformed the traditional political communication pattern by allowing the general public to actively participate in the communication process as both information sources and mediums. Social media has also provided a platform for activists and social movements to increase civic engagement and amplify social issues. The rise of social media platforms has challenged traditional political communication patterns and highlighted the potential of social media in social mobilization. Additionally, social media has transformed the role of political elites and the media in shaping public opinion and the direction of public attention. Overall, political communication on social media has the power to shape public discourse, mobilize social movements, and bring about social change.
How do social media platforms affect the engagement of young people in social and political issues?4 answersSocial media platforms have a significant impact on the engagement of young people in social and political issues. They provide a novel venue for people to voice their opinions, connect with others who share their viewpoints, and engage in activism. Young adults who use social media are more likely to be politically active and have a deeper understanding of politics. Engagement with sociopolitical content on social media platforms can be associated with critical consciousness, which includes an awareness of inequities, motivation to address them, and action that combats injustice. Digital platforms, including social media, play a crucial role in the civic and political engagement of young people, providing communication, mobilization, and logistical support. Social network sites not only reflect existing patterns of offline political engagement but also transform and augment these patterns, creating unique patterns of engagement among youth networks.
How does social media influence political outcomes?4 answersSocial media has a significant influence on political outcomes. It plays a key role in political campaigning management, influencing voter behavior, and increasing political engagement among young adults. Social media platforms like Twitter are used by politicians and political parties to communicate with citizens, gain followers, and encourage participation in politics. Social media also assists politicians in decision-making processes, such as developing policies, selecting candidates, and launching campaigns based on citizen sentiments. Moreover, social media has been found to affect the voting decisions of selected voters, particularly when it comes to promoting economic agendas. Overall, social media provides a platform for political discourse, information sharing, and mobilization, making it a powerful tool in shaping political outcomes.
How does social media affect political activism?5 answersSocial media has had a significant impact on political activism. It has provided a platform for citizen voices and grassroots collective action, allowing users to disseminate online narratives and organize offline protests. Social media has also facilitated the synchronization of user actions, both organic and inorganic, which can be used to profile events for the possibility of offline protests and violence. Additionally, social media signals can be used to predict offline political activism at both the population and individual level, with network information and linguistic features being particularly predictive. However, there are challenges associated with digital activism, such as the growing inequality in algorithmic visibility and the need to protect activists from hate speech on these platforms. Overall, social media has transformed the landscape of political activism, providing new opportunities for engagement and mobilization.
How does social media impact political discourse?5 answersSocial media has a significant impact on political discourse. It allows ordinary people to frame political issues and influence policy and public opinion. Social media platforms are used by the Far Right to reach out to young people, disseminate hate speech, and spread fake news and conspiracy theories. Additionally, social media serves as an extension of journalistic activity, where media outlets use it to disseminate information about important political events like Brexit. However, social media can also be a platform for the peddling of fake news, which can influence political participation. Overall, social media plays a crucial role in shaping political discourse by providing a space for individuals to express their opinions, spreading both accurate and misleading information, and facilitating the reach of political ideologies to a wide audience.