But is really facts or valid information that social networking shares? I can see "urban legend" type of information taking on a whole life on Facebook and Twitter. All one has to do is go back to the NFL playoffs when the Bears were playing the Packers. Cutler got hurt and couldn't play and the stuff on Twitter (from fellow NFL players) was just an all out attack without any facts but lot's of personal animosity.
Can one verify that the same isn't happening all the time on Facebook and Twitter? From what I have gathered from talking with the younger generation, they use social media in place of real face to face interaction. Their view of anything is formed by the opinions being posted. I have seen fund raising events perform poorly because the younger generation got the image that no one was going to the event and therefore didn't go and support their own cause.
Bottom line: I am not confidant that there isn't massive manipulation of opinion on Facebook and Twitter, After all advertising is what pays for the existence of Facebook and I believe Twitter is pushing hard to get more ad revenue.
And one final comment: all one has to do is read comments left by readers on any site that allows for it and you will get a good flavor of what I mean by personal opinion (especially news sites).
The web, social networking in particular, is helping to politicise younger people, according to the University of California’s Humanities Research Institute.
The research studied over 2,500 members of the Generation Y over a number of years and found that based on social media updates, younger people are more likely to engage with their government if given the accessibility to so.
While the study shows that today’s youth in general are disengaged from the traditional forms of political news, analysis and government, they engage far better with social networking, allowing an outlet for their thoughts and opinions.
Arguably, it goes even further than that.
But then again, with social media bantering left, right and center during anything politically related, combined the vast majority of the Generation Y engaging with their own social media accounts, it isn’t surprising that young people are developing their political knowledge and opinions faster today than a generation ago.
There are two elements of socialisation to consider. The primary socialisation of young people today is where views are formed and developed based on the accounts of their parents or guardians. Secondary socialisation is where those are challenged by peers and developed further into more stable opinions and grounded theories.
Nowadays, secondary socialisation is manipulated further by social media and interactive online opinions to allow a better dialogue for younger people to air their views.
Only in recent months can we see the web politicising young people from street protests to full blown revolution.
Facebook and Twitter are not necessarily a means to an end, but nevertheless are significantly important to younger people, as a viable way of expressing their views either in a closed arena or on a global level.
But with a wide collection of political views in the closed environment such as Facebook, the study found that the the echo chamber effect is negated and that social networking tools can be a way to legitimately forward ones views to challenge.
Related content:
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- Egypt ’shuts down Internet’ amid further protests; Facebook web traffic drops
- Egyptian president ignores social media protesters: A bloody coup is brewing
