Let’s face it: nowadays, it’s not uncommon to check Twitter for news updates. As of February of 2016, more than 56.8 million people in the U.S. use Twitter; out of those 56.8+ million users, more than 42% are young adults. What does this have to do with politics? Well, whether they want to or not, teens are obtaining news from Twitter. It’s an efficient way to connect with those sharing similar opinions or clash with those with opposing ones. As a result, reading 140 characters at a time is detrimental to ceasing the battle along partisan lines.
As highly educated young adults who are more accepting of diversity and difference, many use Twitter as a way to express political ideas, earning numerous engagements and increased visibility. But to be clear, 140 characters is not a lot; it’s enough for a brief weather report but certainly not enough when it comes to covering domestic issues and politics. Therefore, depending on the situation, many young and passionate Twitter users are receiving–not inaccurate per say–but incomplete, and not to mention biased, perspectives.
The preceding quote is a published theory on the Oxford Handbook Online: Scholarly Research Reviews providing a possible explanation for the growing discrepancy among young Twitter users when it comes to partisan issues. Due to the abundance of information and our natural inclination, we often neglect to see other perspectives that may contradict our own beliefs. On the other had, obtaining information and facts from credible sources expands our standpoint. There is no right or wrong, only perspective.
The lefts so called “protests” which we all know are violent riots, are assuring voters across the country that Trump was the right choice.
— The Trump Train (@The_Trump_Train) February 14, 2017
This tweet is specifically catered towards Trump supporters. An inaccurate statement about protests is made but just because a small minority of peaceful protests turn violent does not automatically make all demonstrations violent.
>Trump is a fascist dictator.
>I can openly criticise him.>Diversity is a strength.
>I can get fired/jailed for having a different opinion— HUNTED NT MAN (@nontolerantman) February 13, 2017
With the purpose of appealing to non-Trump supports, this particular tweet is an over exaggeration and further pushes those on the left side, more to the left and creates a negative generalization of the right-side.
Jumping to wrong or partial conclusions based on tweets seen daily further pushes the “us” and “them” mentality. The Social Identity Theory put forth by Henri Tajfel states: “group members of an in-group will seek to find negative aspects of an out-group, thus enhancing their self-image”. Being applicable to all people, this issue manifests itself on the left and right side of the political spectrum and is dominant on Twitter and other social media. Arrogance is dangerous and pushes people away instead of bringing them together.
In a positive light, Twitter users stay up-to-date with current political issues and are exposed to what’s happening with the government, or lack thereof. Provoking headlines are re-tweeted and engaged with consistently on a daily basis. Already, we have been seeing an increase in civic engagement due to influence of modern media.
At the end of the day, we all want what’s best for this country. Although a very deep divide exists in U.S. politics, continuing to recognize national issues and realizing that there are many ways to solve them, is the first step towards steady but constructive change as a united country.
