Experts Discuss Social Media’s Growing Influence on Politics

Experts at the University of Kentucky discuss how social media now shapes politics, acting as a platform for activism while also posing challenges such as misinformation and polarization. Professors Macdonald and Russell emphasize the need for a collaborative effort to empower responsible engagement in the digital age.

In the rapidly evolving political landscape, social media has become a powerful tool that can shift public opinion dramatically through just a single post or tweet. It serves as a platform for debate and activism while also acting as a kind of battleground. The question that now looms large is: how did we reach this pivotal point, and where might it all lead?

During a recent episode of “Behind the Blue,” experts Maggie Macdonald, Ph.D., and Annelise Russell, Ph.D., shared insights about social media’s infiltration into the political sphere. These professors from the University of Kentucky dove into how platforms have redefined candidate-voter interactions, made real-time debates possible, and amplified grassroots causes. The growing role of social media in politics certainly brings with it a slew of questions about its broader implications.

Macdonald pointed out that politics today is no longer confined to traditional methods like door-to-door campaigning or TV ads. “It’s tweets, it’s Instagram stories, it’s TikToks. This shift presents both opportunities and challenges for those aspiring to engage in public policy or communication fields,” she explained.

Both Macdonald and Russell emphasized that social media has democratized political engagement. It’s become a space where citizen activists can gain traction on issues that might otherwise go unnoticed. Russell described it as possessing a “profound democratizing potential,” allowing individuals to engage large audiences directly, bypassing traditional media “gatekeepers” entirely.

Macdonald also highlighted another critical aspect: social media offers various channels for candidates to reach different audiences. But this also comes with hurdles. They can focus on specific groups, but every word they type is stored online—potentially to be used against them in the future. “Even though it’s relatively cheap to write a tweet, there’s also potentially reputational costs that come from it,” she said.

Nevertheless, the rise of social media isn’t without its dark side. With greater influence comes the challenge of misinformation, posing a serious risk to political dialogue. Both experts acknowledged that misinformation can quickly outpace corrections, muddying the information landscape.

Russell indicated, “In the race to get information out quickly, accuracy sometimes takes a backseat.” She noted that studies show misleading original articles circulate far more broadly than fact-checks. Macdonald concurred, adding, “The fact-check article will not go nearly as far as the first one.”

Macdonald further warned about algorithms that create echo chambers, where users mostly consume viewpoints similar to their own, thus amplifying ideological divisions. “It’s up to us to be our own first line of defense — to determine what information is trustworthy,” she remarked.

Moving forward, both experts stress the need for a collective approach to mitigating these issues. Russell advocates for the public to consume news more consciously by reading diverse sources, while Macdonald insists on the importance of educating people to critically assess information they encounter online.

Ultimately, the experts agree. The influence of social media on politics is undeniable, but whether it becomes a unifying force or deepens divisions hinges on how all stakeholders—platforms, governments, and users—choose to engage with it. As Russell astutely put it, “Social media is neither wholly good nor bad. It’s a tool, and like any tool, its impact depends on how it’s used.” Stay tuned for more insights from Macdonald and Russell in the latest episode of “Behind the Blue.”

“Behind the Blue” is available for streaming on iTunes, Google Play, and Spotify. Subscribers can expect new episodes each week, featuring discussions on breakthroughs in medicine, research, and important updates impacting the University of Kentucky.

The rise of social media in politics not only offers new opportunities for engagement and activism but also presents significant challenges, particularly concerning misinformation and polarization. Experts Macdonald and Russell suggest a collaborative effort to foster responsible use of social media and encourage informed engagement among users. The future role of social media in shaping public opinion will largely depend on how effectively all parties involved can navigate these complexities.

Original Source: uknow.uky.edu