Student Thoughts: Social media holds influence on voters

Gabrielle Garcia/Staff Writer

 

With the primary election just around the corner, voters are tuning in to debates, local and national broadcasts and are looking to the the internet to learn more about the standing presidential candidates. However, it seems to be the case that voters also favor information published on social media sites.

With technology and access to the web at the fingertips of most Americans’ fingers, social media serves as a virtual gateway to the very core of election season. Most social media sites are designed to allow users to easily share links, videos, photos and memes, which seem to be among the more popular modes of communication on the internet—especially when it comes to politics.

Because memes are easy to create and to publish, they continue to be an increasingly popular trend among social media and Internet users. Today, the Internet and social media are plagued with memes of all kinds. Now, memes are more politically aimed, given that voting season has already begun.

As a social media user, I cannot begin to count how many videos, memes, photos and links are circulating the internet, many of which condemn politicians from all ends of the spectrum for being unfit candidates, but for also falsely interpreting their platforms by using derogatory language.

While everyone is entitled to their own opinions and perspectives, many simply do not comprehend the power that media has on the public. What you watch on television, what you hear on the radio or what you see and share online has a significant influence on the public that can lead people to understand and believe or confuse and mislead others with information that may not be credible.

Exercising one’s right to vote is an important civil duty and should not be taken lightly. Many voters—especially young voters— hold the impression that their ideas and votes do not matter, when in reality, they do. Making informed decisions is just as important as making the decision to vote.

While social media trends appear quirky, funny, outrageous and appealing, they’re most likely not the most accurate sources to rely on. Rather than making a blind decision, voters should do their research, which means yes—expose yourself to all ends of the spectrum.  With information constantly circulating on the web and other media platforms, voters of all ages should do their best to be as informed as possible. When the time comes, get out there and vote! Your decision counts!

 

Disclaimer:

The opinions presented within this page do not represent the views of FIU Student Media Editorial Board. These views are separate from editorials and reflect individual perspectives of contributing writers and/or members of the University community.

 

Image courtesy of Flickr: https://www.flickr.com/photos/esthervargasc/12799560873/in/photolist-kv46w2-7JtzoP-bS1PAH-npbuJZ-e4tDvZ-qi7hrH-7o3nqo-7rbSMR-arMHrs-7G2R3A-iqnNqB-dGK1zs-8idvyF-98eeX8-A724Dk-fEcGVt-fNMTGb-hi1G1M-7Zo3qP-jPakX5-jP8W6t-9WrCeZ-rARH2Y-63DBMz-5pnkJt-9zmJsz-b2c6Nn-jPamNy-7oytoK-o4eUE2-s98dqU-fHzEAn-8CAM11-o9VqQS-7rbSMX-8bspPD-aECTQ2-r88Qsn-9zmGSk-utvZkT-8o2UHJ-bBgtA9-byqVje-8CAgVh-9wrmPE-7xWFYW-856i5V-Ce87hv-8igJKo-8igJR3

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