POSITION PAPER

“THE IMPACT OF SOCIAL MEDIA ON POLITICAL DISCOURSE”

SUBMITTED BY: NASH CASUNGGAY

GRADE-12 HUMSS-C FREUD

JANUARY, 2023
 TABLE OF CONTENTS

I. Introduction………………………………………………………………………..3

A. Identification of the issue…………………………………………………...…..3

B. Statement of the problem……………………………………………………….3

II. Body…………………………………………………………………………….….3

A. Background information…………………………………………………..……3

B. Supporting evidence/facts……………………………………..……….……….4

C. Discussion of both sides…………………………………………..…………….4

III. Conclusion ………………………………………………………………….……..5

A. Summary of main concepts…………………………………………………….5

B. Course action………………………………………………………….………..5

C. Possible Solution……………………………………………….………………5

IV. Reference…………………………………………………………..………………6

A. List of sources cited in the paper…………………………………….…………6

B. Additional resources for further reading……………………………………….6

 “The Impact of Social Media on Political Discourse”
“Unleashing the power of social media to revolutionize political discourse and shape the future
of democracy.” The impact of social media on political discourse is a topic of growing concern
as the use of these platforms continues to increase. Social media has become a major source of
information and a key means of communication for many people, and it has played a significant
role in shaping public opinion and political discourse. The issue at hand is the extent to which
social media is affecting the way in which political ideas and information are shared and
understood. This position paper argues that while social media has the potential to broaden and
democratize political discourse, it also has the potential to create echo chambers, reinforce
existing biases, and amplify misinformation. The position taken in this paper is that social media
can be a valuable tool for political discourse, but only if it is used responsibly and critically.
With the rise of platforms such as Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram, politicians and political
organizations have been able to reach a wider audience and engage with voters in new ways.
However, the effects of this increased engagement have been both positive and negative.

On the positive side, social media has allowed for greater citizen engagement in the political
process. Ordinary citizens are now able to easily access information about political candidates
and issues, and they are able to share their own opinions and engage in discussions with others.
This has led to a more informed and engaged electorate, which is a cornerstone of a healthy
democracy. It allows for a wider range of voices to be heard and for individuals to become
informed about political issues through diverse perspectives and sources. Moreover, social media
platforms facilitate grassroots organizing and the formation of online communities, which can
lead to increased voter turnout and civic engagement.

However, there are also negative consequences to the increased use of social media in political
discourse. One major concern is the spread of misinformation and fake news. Social media
algorithms often prioritize content that is likely to generate engagement, such as likes and shares,
regardless of its accuracy. This can lead to the spread of false information, which can have
serious consequences for the public's understanding of important issues and the functioning of
democracy. It has been asserted that social media has a significant impact on political discourse.
According to Sean (2023), social media has an impact on political discourse. affirming that such
a platform has the capacity to disseminate information with regards to political issues that may
appear fraudulent or legit to some people. Social media cannot only affect the image of politics;
it also changes the viewpoint of the people in any aspect of the political body due to the fact that
many users lack knowledge on proper usage of the platform.

Another issue is the impact of social media on political polarization. Research has shown that
social media use can lead to increased political polarization, as users are more likely to engage
with content that aligns with their existing beliefs. This can make it harder for individuals to
understand and consider opposing viewpoints, and can also make it more difficult for politicians
to find common ground and reach compromise.

Additionally, social media can have a negative impact on political campaigns and elections. The
use of social media for political advertising can be highly targeted and can be used to manipulate
public opinion. Additionally, social media can be used to interfere in elections by spreading
misinformation or by hacking into political campaigns and stealing sensitive information.

In my opinion, social media has had a negative impact on political discourse. One of the major
issues is the spread of false information, which can lead to confusion and mistrust among the
public. Additionally, many sources of information on social media are not held accountable for
the accuracy of their content, which further exacerbates the problem. As a result, political
discourse on social media often becomes polarized and divisive, rather than fostering
constructive dialogue and understanding. According to Stegman (2021), social media plays a big
part in today’s society. Apps like Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram connect people to friends
and family. It is also how many people consume news. The evolution of social media is
worrisome to some as it also creates an avenue for negativity and misinformation.
Another concern is the use of social media to target and manipulate voters. Political campaigns
and organizations can use social media data to create highly targeted advertising campaigns,
which can be used to influence voter behavior. Additionally, foreign actors have been known to
use social media to interfere in elections by spreading false information and attempting to
influence public opinion.

Overall, the impact of social media on political discourse is complex and multifaceted. While
there are certainly benefits to increased citizen engagement and diversity in political discourse,
there are also serious concerns about misinformation, manipulation, and foreign interference. As
such, it is important that policymakers and the public are aware of these issues and work to
address them in order to ensure that social media supports, rather than undermines, democratic
processes.

In conclusion, the impact of social media on political discourse is a complex and

multifaceted issue. On one hand, social media has the potential to broaden and democratize
political discourse by increasing citizen engagement and providing access to diverse perspectives
and sources of information. On the other hand, social media can also create echo chambers,
reinforce existing biases, and amplify misinformation. It is important to recognize that social
media can be a valuable tool for political discourse, but only if it is used responsibly and
critically. We encourage people to occasionally break out of their echo chamber and listen to
other sources, Dr. Vallacher said. “We point out that you should look at the reliability of the
sources you listen to. This means being aware of the potential negative consequences, such as the
spread of false information and political polarization, and taking steps to mitigate them.
Additionally, political campaigns and elections should be protected from interference through
social media, and individuals should be educated on how to use social media responsibly. By
doing so, we can harness the power of social media to revolutionize political discourse and shape
the future of democracy.
References
Delaney, Kelsey, "The Plight of Social Media: An Analysis of the Effects Social Media has on
Political Discourse" (2021). Honors Theses. 2454.
https://digitalworks.union.edu/theses/2454

Shearer, Elisa. “Social Media Outpaces Print Newspapers in the U.S. as a News Source.” Pew
Research Center. Pew Research Center, December 10, 2018.
https://www.pewresearch.org/fact tank/2018/12/10/social-media-outpaces-
printnewspapers-in-the-u-s-as-a-news
source/https://www.pewresearch.org/facttank/2018/12/10/social-media-outpaces-print
newspapers-in-the-u-s-as-a-news-source/.

Stegman. (2021, September 26). How social media has changed our political discourse. WPTV
News Channel 5 West Palm. Retrieved January 19, 2023, from
https://www.wptv.com/news/political/to-the-point/how-social-media-has-changed-our-
political-discourse