Social Networking vs. Politics

Social Networking and Politics.

There are many ways that we can get involved in social networking.  Whether it be through Twitter, Facebook, or Youtube, more than ever, we are able to voice our opinions and express who we are while reaching a vast audience.  But despite the widespread use of social networking, is it used for voicing political beliefs and more importantly, is social networking an effective way to educate others and actually change their political beliefs?

Personally, I use Facebook, Twitter and Youtube as a way to network. I use them only for purposes of keeping in touch with friends and to let them know what I’ve been up to.  I don’t feel social networks are a good source for voicing political beliefs with the intent to change someone’s mind.  In my opinion, I experience other’s political comments and often times political jokes much as I used to the political cartoons in the newspapers.  People’s political comments can be funny, just like the cartoons, or sometimes they will reveal a bit more about the person that I may not have previously known.  However, as far as paying attention to the political comments as a way to further educate myself, it’s just not the case.

 By listening to the gentleman in the podcast, he inspired me to think that Facebook is  not a platform for voicing political views with the intent of effectively educating someone and changing their minds.  It is a venue for sharing what is going on in your life and the world.  Although, to be honest, I’m sure we all have been tempted to voice our opinions at times, but he suggested it’s better to have a one on one conversation with people if you really want them to hear your opinions and change their minds and beliefs, so safe it for chat (plus, it’s more of a communication). He also mentioned posting a political status is much more of a performance and an instigation and it becomes like a boxing rage. 

 For the most part, my experience, particularly with Facebook, is the most you’ll get in regards to political interactions with others is “liking” or “disliking” what someone posts.  I have rarely seen anyone interacting in such a way that they carry on a debate.

As I mentioned before, most social networking is used for sharing.  It’s not a forum for debating as to what you are sharing is accurate or inaccurate. And that is the beauty of social networking.  You can share whatever you want, and those who want to read your post or follow you on Twitter can, and those who don’t like what you have to say can either choose not to read your posts or delete you as a friend.

I read the article on Pew Internet on “Politics on Social Networking Sites” and their findings revealed that “84% of social network users have posted little or nothing related to politics in their recent status updates, comments, and links”.  And this is during, not just a voting year, but during a very popular and heated presidential campaign.  If social networking was going to be used as a venue for expressing  political beliefs, this would be the year, and it’s just not happening.

 In defense, I can understand why some people believe social networking will “up” their beliefs. I’m sure they look it as an advertisement, especially with Youtube, for the more visual affect. For an example, look at this video from the Obama Campaign.

 There are special forums that people can easily find on line if they want to talk politics.  However, I belief social networking isn’t the place.  I prefer to keep my social networking sites a place to share without worrying someone is going to argue with me on what I just posted.