Essay: Social Media's Minor Role in Shaping Political Views

This essay examines the extent to which social media influences people's political preferences, arguing that its role is minor. The essay highlights the impact of filter bubbles on social media, which primarily reinforce existing beliefs rather than shaping new ones. It contrasts social media's influence wit...Read More

Social Media Play A Minor Role In Shaping People’s Political Preferences
People share content efficiently, quickly, and in real-time on social media. They post photos, they
also share ideas, and they even communicate through social media. With regard to the social
movement in recent months, social media has been widely used to spread information, share news
and declare stance. In US, social media has become the main source of news online with more than
2.4 billion internet users, nearly 64.5 percent receive breaking news from Facebook, Twitter,
YouTube, Snapchat and Instagram instead of traditional media.(Martin, 2018) Someone worry fake
news may construct people’s political stance while what they see is not the truth. Some worry that
politicians may post fake statistics and gain support in an inappropriate way. In the light of the
above, this essay seeks to analyse and explain why social media actually play a minor role in
shaping people’s political preferences due to the effect of filter bubbles, the comparison to other
factors and the critical thinking of people.
First and foremost, social media only make people believe more and confirm their political stance.
Some point out that social media will spread information with stance. Also, social media has
become the main source of news online and people receive news from social media instead of
traditional media(Martin, 2018). As absolute objectivity does not exist, news media has their own
political stance. While people keep receiving information on certain news media through social
media, which provide a platform for fast communication, it may shape their political preferences.
However, the filter bubbles in social media actually only expose us to the ideas we already agree
with.” In fact, this study found, participants preferred to seek advice from people who held similar
political views, deciding that they must be more competent—despite evidence to the
contrary!”(Lee&Brick&Linden, 2019) Social media send you messages based on your preferences
and people have their preferences before. Therefore, social media do not shape people’s political
preferences but just confirm their belief.
Furthermore, social media is not the main factor to shape people’s political preferences. Some may
argue that social media allow people to communicate with each other and obtain different
information. For instance, they may watch news shared by their friends and talk to people with a
political stance. Hence, shaping their political preferences. However, social media is definitely not
the main factor as it is not as influential as we think. For example, parental factor affects children’s
stance. Teenagers have a reputation for rebellion, but when it comes to politics, their beliefs are

strongly affected by what their parents think as many parents have the advantage of being their
children’s first source of political messaging.(Jacewicz, 2017) Take today’s social movement as an
example, the elder generation used to live and work in mainland. They worked very hard to gain a
living so that they do not have the priority to pursue democracy and their own right. Therefore, they
support the communist party. Then, they teach the younger generation and they are the first source
of political messaging to the children. As a result, parental influence is more important in shaping
people’s political preferences.
In addition, people have critical thinking and judge every single piece of information. The influence
of social media is subject to personal life experiences and the social reality that people understand.
People generally do not directly follow the stance presented by the social media; they are more
capable of questioning the credibility of information when information is readily available.
Especially in the recent decades, people are educated and they have critical thinking. The
information on social media become less influential to them. Besides, they may be affected by peers
or personal factor. For instance, they may listen to their peers or support them for
recognition.Therefore, social media actually play a minor role in shaping people’s political
preferences.
In summary, although some may say that social media will spread information with stance and it
has become the main source of news online, it just confirm people’s belief with filter bubbles. Also,
social media is less influential than we think. Other factors like parental factor and personal
background are more likely to shape people’s political stance. Moreover, people have critical
thinking and they do not follow the stance presented by the social media directly.

References
LEE, D.W., BRICK, C., LINDEN , S.V.D. (2019). Are Social Media Driving Political Polarization?
Retrieved from https://greatergood.berkeley.edu/article/item/
is_social_media_driving_political_polarization
Jacewicz, N. (2017). What Shapes Your Political Beliefs at 18, 35, and 50. Retrieved from https://
www.thecut.com/2017/04/what-shapes-your-political-beliefs-at-18-35-and-50.html
Martin, N. (2018). How Social Media Has Changed How We Consume News. Retrieved from
https://www.forbes.com/sites/nicolemartin1/2018/11/30/how-social-media-has-changed-how-we-
consume-news/#2ecb33623c3c