Antisocial Media and Politics
Critical Analysis
What percent of Americans say social media companies should not allow any political advertisements on their platforms?
What is the big story this data tells?
Why do you think social media companies generally allow political advertisements?
Describe how much social media has impacted American politics and explain whether it has had a positive or negative impact on American democracy.
Of all the groups represented in the data above, which group is most supportive of allowing political advertisements on social media?
Describe how age impacts opinion on social media and political ads.
In the current campaign season, social media companies and political candidates themselves have drawn criticism for publishing and approving ads bearing false information. Explain whether you think social media companies should not allow any political advertisements on their platforms.
In late 2019, Twitter announced it would ban sponsored political content from the site altogether, and more recently others, like Facebook, revealed their plans to ban any new political ads in the week before the contest. What is your opinion of these voluntary measures?
Make a claim about whether the First Amendment would allow the government to ban political ads on social media.
Someone once said that Democrats and Republicans can’t agree on anything anymore. Explain whether the data from this chart supports that claim.
Describe how you believe social media will influence the 2020 election.
Describe how you believe social media has influenced your opinion in the 2020 election.
Learning Extension
Read this Pew Research story about social media and political advertisements.
Action Extension
Notice how much political advertisement there is on social media. Share your thoughts about social media and political advertisements through your social media channels. Stop using any social media sites that violate your rules about social media and political advertisements.
