Have you ever seen a video of president Biden stuttering? Or a meme of former president Trump’s mugshot? Whether we like it or not, social media has become a force to be reckoned with in the political realm—here’s why.
As our world becomes increasingly enveloped by technology, social media has become more and more influential in inspiring and reinforcing political views. The influx of instantaneous information, the rapid political organization, the circulated misinformation, and the deeply polarized views are all part of the reason why these politicized platforms should be taken more seriously.
Political socialization is defined by the Oxford Reference as the “process by which people come to acquire political attitudes and values.” According to ThoughtCo, family is the earliest and most impactful factor in shaping one’s beliefs; however, other factors like school, peers, and social media also play a significant role.
Over the years, social media’s role in political socialization has exploded as it completely revolutionized the steady, monitored flow of information that came from mainstream media. For example, the numerous videos and live streams from Gaza and the West Bank these past five months have shown a reality on the ground that dispels the carefully curated message coming from TV anchors, and this isn’t the first occurrence.
During the Vietnam War, videotapes capturing death and destruction completely undermined the sugar-coated message of news anchors and Lyndon B. Johnson’s administration, sparking disbelief and outrage across the country. Clearly, social media brings a significant benefit to the table—it allows freedom of the press beyond what is afforded to mainstream media journalists.
In addition, like-minded, passionate individuals have found social media to be fertile ground for strong political organization—but it’s not always a good thing. While some have used social media platforms to support survivors of sexual violence through the MeToo movement, others have used it to rally bloodthirsty hatred against ethnic minorities. According to an Amnesty International news report, the Burmese military used Facebook to “supercharge” what became the Rohingyan genocide; Meta is now under fire for the “systematic murder, rape and burning of homes” that it did nothing to stop. Clearly, social media can be a vehicle for good but also for horrific evil.
Moreover, social media can be an effective echo chamber for those on extreme ends of the political spectrum, regardless of whether their feed is accurate or inaccurate. In a way unique to social media, this barrage of unfiltered information is tailored to our political ideology; whatever you’re listening to or watching is different from what someone on the other side of the political spectrum is listening to or watching. Recommended videos, advertisements, and “for you” pages all contribute to this, effectively locking our political values in place—hook, line, and sinker.
While this doesn’t affect those who go out of their way to be objective and informed, the majority of people tend to choose the easy way out and consume whatever the algorithm shows them on social media. For many, work or school is exhausting enough. Being politically well-rounded is an uphill battle that doesn’t seem as important to them as getting a quick dose of the news—but we should be better than that.
We should consider the power our country wields on international affairs, use our voice and influence in this democracy, and take great care to be properly informed. Our support for or against politicians and their policies has a direct effect on the lives of human beings next door and around the world—our political opinions aren’t abstract; they matter.