The Battle For Public Opinion

Hi Everyone! Happy Election Day :)

Tonight is the perfect night for this discussion: Social Media and Public Opinion.

How has social media played a role in the 2020 civil rights movement and protests?

Social media has played a HUGE roll in the 2020 civil rights movement. People used their Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook accounts to make their opinions known, voice their unrest, organize and promote protests, etc. 

How is social media changing the way people document history?

Before social media, people have to document history through news and print. People had to turn on their TVs to see history being made, or read about it in the newspaper the following day(s). History had to be then recorded in books and scholarly journals. With the advent of social media, news can be relayed instantly, and all history is easily accessible. All one has to do is Google search an event and they have access to tons of information. 

How have people used social media to win the hearts and minds of people? Provide examples.

This election season is a prime example as to how social media can be used to win the minds and hearts of people. Both Presidential candidates heavily used social media to campaign, along with Senate and Congressional candidates.

Give an example of how it’s been used in a positive, or negative way.

When it comes to social media and persuasion, I believe it has been used in a more negative way. Going back to politics, we have seen countless examples online of candidates bashing each other through campaign commercials, harsh name-calling, attacks through tweets, etc.