Social media use in politics

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Social media[1]’s role in politics refers to the way these digital platforms have transformed political communication, public participation, and the dissemination of news information. These platforms, including Facebook[2], Twitter[3], and Reddit[4], allow users to share news, contribute comments, and express their opinions on current affairs. They also play a significant role in organized movements, influencing public perception of political figures, and affecting electoral campaigns. With a significant number of adults, especially the younger demographic, primarily getting their political news from social media, these platforms wield enormous influence on people’s political views. However, there are ongoing debates about the impact of social media on democracy, with concerns about potential biases, privacy[5] issues, and the need for government regulation. The role of social media in politics also extends to shaping public sentiment for policy-making and serving as a platform for open political debate.

Terms definitions
1. Social media ( Social media ) Social media is a broad term encompassing a variety of digital tools and platforms that facilitate the sharing of information and the creation of virtual communities. Emerging from early systems like PLATO and ARPANET, it has evolved into modern platforms like Facebook and Twitter. These platforms offer unique features that differentiate them from traditional media, including the ability for users to generate content and engage in dialogic communication. They cater to over 100 million users globally and offer different forms of services, such as messaging apps and collaborative content creation platforms. The use of social media has far-reaching impacts on individuals, society, and businesses, influencing everything from marketing practices to political processes. However, it's also associated with ethical concerns, such as the spread of misinformation and potential addiction.
2. Facebook ( Facebook ) Facebook, now known as Meta Platforms, is a major internet company that started as a social networking platform. Founded by Mark Zuckerberg in 2004, Facebook expanded rapidly from Harvard to other universities and later to the general public, becoming a global phenomenon. It is known for its user-friendly interface and various features such as Groups, the Developer Platform, and Facebook Dating. Despite facing criticism for issues like privacy breaches and the spread of fake news, Facebook has remained a dominant player in the online world. It has made significant strides in the field of technology, including the development of its unique data storage system, the use of PHP for its platform, and the launch of the Hack programming language. In recent years, the company has shifted its focus to the metaverse, a virtual reality space where users can interact with a computer-generated environment.

Social media use in politics refers to the use of online social media platforms in political processes and activities. Political processes and activities include all activities that pertain to the governance of a country or area. This includes political organization, global politics, political corruption, political parties, and political values. The media's primary duty is to present us with information and alert us when events occur. This information may affect what we think and the actions we take. The media can also place pressure on the government to act by signaling a need for intervention or showing that citizens want change [1].

The internet has created channels of communication that play a key role in circulating news, and social media has the power to change not just the message, but also the dynamics of political corruption, values, and the dynamics of conflict in politics. Through the use of social media in election processes, global conflict, and extreme politics, diplomacy around the world has become less private and more susceptible to public perception. Overtime, social media has become a larger way of how we are informed by the news of what is going on in the world. These new stations can ever biased about their political opinions. This also includes Twitter and Facebook of holding the potential to alter civic engagement, this holds a large effect and influences individuals toward a particular way of thinking. [2]. Social media also affects elections and campaigns. This is due to the interactive and communal nature of social media can be especially powerful for elections and campaigns. Voters often use these platforms to discuss their position and share their support. An example of this is "I voted" image can remind others to submit their ballots or create peer pressure to encourage voting [3]

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