When it comes to politics, social media will continue to be a major factor in the dissemination of information. A recent study from the Pew Research Center found that people who use social networks to stay informed about current events tend to pay less attention to news and politics and are less knowledgeable about them. Social media and Internet platforms have made it easier for political information to spread, which counters the tactics of traditional media outlets, which are usually centralized and top-down, with high barriers to entry. The results showed that 57% of people who use social networks for news had low political knowledge and only 17% had high political knowledge. The use of social media in politics refers to the utilization of online social media platforms in political processes and activities.
Public opinion on the positive and negative effects of social media varies greatly depending on political affiliation and ideology. The media and social networks often publish stories about news that is controversial and popular, which will generate more traffic. Approximately one-fifth of Americans use social media, with two-thirds of those being young people between 18 and 29 years old. Martínez notes that he already sees how social networks are influencing younger generations through education and the dissemination of politics. However, the use of social networks affects political opinions and the participation of young users in other ways, such as exposing them to certain points of view or determining their understanding of current events.
Social media has made it much easier for politicians and their campaigns to connect directly with the public, according to Freeder. BYU public relations professor Pamela Brubaker said that social media users sometimes only interact with content that reflects their own points of view, causing apps to suggest other similar content. Political ads, for example, that encourage people to vote for or against a particular candidate or take a position on a particular issue, have often been posted on social media. Social networks can provide many people with a sense of anonymity that allows them to get away with such aggressive acts. The study found that 48% of young adults aged 18 to 29 fall into this category and get their news mainly from social networks.
Responses from people who focused on hate, harassment, conflict or extremism often mention the concern that social networks contribute to a lack of courtesy on the Internet linked to anonymity, to the spread of ideas or conspiracies full of hate, or to inciting violence.
