The Impact of Social Media on Politics

• Engels
• Middelbare school
• ISK
• havo
• Leerjaar 3,4

The Impact of Social Media on Politics

Understanding the Influence and Challenges

Warm-Up

The role of social media in your lives

Answer the questions in the following slides.

How often do you use social media?

Have you ever seen political content on social media?

Yes

No

Do you think social media influences people's political views?

Video Viewing

• Watch the video: "How Social Media Is Impacting The Political Divide" by NBC News NOW.
• Take notes on key points while watching.

Group Discussion

• Divide into groups of 4 to discuss the video and in your groups answer the following questions.

1. What were the main points of the video?
2. Did anything in the video surprise you?
3. How do you think social media affects political opinions?

Influence of Social Media on Politics: Key Points

Political Polarization: Social media contributes to political polarization by amplifying extreme content. This often leads to users being exposed to more radical views, which can deepen divisions within society.

Algorithms and Content: Social media algorithms prioritize content that generates high engagement. This often means sensational or extreme content is more likely to be promoted, keeping users on the platform longer.

Misinformation: The rapid spread of misinformation on social media can significantly influence public opinion and exacerbate political divides. False information can be shared widely before it is corrected.

Echo Chambers: Social media platforms can create echo chambers where users are primarily exposed to information that aligns with their existing beliefs. This reinforces their views and reduces exposure to diverse perspectives.

Public Opinion and Real Life: There is often a gap between the political discourse on social media and real-life public opinion. Social media can amplify voices that may not represent the majority, skewing perceptions of public sentiment.

Potential Solutions: Some potential solutions to mitigate the negative impacts of social media on politics, including stricter content moderation, promoting digital literacy, and encouraging users to engage with a variety of sources