scholarly journals Minimal Effects, Maximum Panic: Social Media and Democracy in Latin America

2020 ◽  
Vol 6 (4) ◽  
pp. 205630512098445
Author(s):  
Eugenia Mitchelstein ◽  
Mora Matassi ◽  
Pablo J. Boczkowski

In face of public discourses about the negative effects that social media might have on democracy in Latin America, this article provides a qualitative assessment of existing scholarship about the uses, actors, and effects of platforms for democratic life. Our findings suggest that, first, campaigning, collective action, and electronic government are the main political uses of platforms. Second, politicians and office holders, social movements, news producers, and citizens are the main actors who utilize them for political purposes. Third, there are two main positive effects of these platforms for the democratic process—enabling social engagement and information diffusion—and two main negative ones—the presence of disinformation, and the spread of extremism and hate speech. A common denominator across positive and negative effects is that platforms appear to have minimal effects that amplify pre-existing patterns rather than create them de novo.

2016 ◽  
Vol 28 (3) ◽  
pp. 123-135 ◽  
Author(s):  
Raffael Heiss ◽  
Jörg Matthes

Abstract. This study investigated the effects of politicians’ nonparticipatory and participatory Facebook posts on young people’s political efficacy – a key determinant of political participation. We employed an experimental design, using a sample of N = 125 high school students (15–20 years). Participants either saw a Facebook profile with no posts (control condition), nonparticipatory posts, or participatory posts. While nonparticipatory posts did not affect participants’ political efficacy, participatory posts exerted distinct effects. For those high in trait evaluations of the politician presented in the stimulus material or low in political cynicism, we found significant positive effects on external and collective efficacy. By contrast, for those low in trait evaluations or high in cynicism, we found significant negative effects on external and collective efficacy. We did not find any effects on internal efficacy. The importance of content-specific factors and individual predispositions in assessing the influence of social media use on participation is discussed.


2019 ◽  
Vol 3 (1) ◽  
pp. 72
Author(s):  
Irfan Afandi

The humanitarian problem in the development of the industrial revolution 4.0 is very complex and is at the stage of worrying. No human being separated from the effect of the waves. High school is active users (user) of the results of the industrial revolution the 4.0. The problem that arises in the use of social media including the demise of expertise, the dissemination of hate speech and fabricated news. Teaching Islamic education material should be able to respond to this by providing normative information in the Qur'an and Hadith so that students can escape from its negative effects. One of the solutions offered was to integrate these materials with integratsi learning models in the themes that have been arranged in the school's learning policy. Integrating this material must through the phases between the awarding phase of learning, information or materials to grow a critical reason, generate hypotheses and generalities.


2015 ◽  
Vol 2 (2) ◽  
pp. 34-52 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nwachukwu Andrew Egbunike ◽  
Noel Ihebuzor ◽  
Ngozi Onyechi

Social media is becoming increasingly important as a means for social engagement. In Nigeria, Twitter is employed to convey opinion and make commentary on matters ranging from football to politics. Tweets are also used to inform, advocate, recruit and even incite. Previous studies have shown that Twitter could be effective for political mobilization. However, there is dearth of research on how Twitter has been used as a purveyor of neutral and/or hate speech in the Nigerian context. This study examined the nature of tweets in the immediate aftermath of the 2015 presidential election in Nigeria. The authors employed content analysis of 250 purposively selected tweets from the #Igbo hashtag which trended between March 29 and 31, 2015. The tweets were then categorized into five explicit hate and one neutral tweet category respectively. Results revealed the dominance of three hate tweet types: derogatory, mocking and blaming. These findings were then discussed bearing in mind earlier theories on the functionality of tweets and voting patterns from an analysis of the election results.


2020 ◽  
Vol 13 (1) ◽  
pp. 74
Author(s):  
Joko Sutarso

Abstrak. Penggunaan media sosial semakin meningkat dari tahun ke tahun, namun demikian tidak semua konten media sosial memiliki sisi positif. Beberapa dampak negatif penggunaan media sosial seperti penyebaran berita bohong (hoax), ujaran kebencian (hate speech), perundungan (cyberbullying) dan konten negatiflainnya merupakan bentuk-bentuk penyalahgunaan media sosial menjadi keprihatinan masyarakat karena telah memasuki  ranah sosial, politik, ekonomi dan bahkan keagamaan. Hal ini tidak terlepas dari kapitalisasi koorporasi media sosial yang terus berkembang dengan terpaan yang semakin meluas melintasi batas negara dan bangsa, masuk dalam kehidupan berbagai generasi, strata sosial ekonomi, tingkat pendidikan dan latar belakang pendidikan serta pengalaman. Metode yang digunakan dalam tulisan ini adalah teoritis kualitatif yang didasarkan pada pengamatan terhadap isi media sosial dan kajian teoritis yang berusaha menjelaskan pengaruh isi media terhadap perilaku masyarakat dalam bermedia sebagai bahan pengayaan  (enrichment) bagi kegiatan literasi media sosial di kalangan masyarakat bagi para pegiat literasi. Penjelasan teoritis yang dipakai meliputi aspek positif dan negatif dilihat dari aspek sosial, politik, psikologi, pendidikan dan kebudayaan. Hasilnya konten budaya lokal memiliki peluang mengisi konten dalam ruang media sosial dan konten budaya lokal yang selektif, kreatif, edukatif, dan sekaligus menghibur  dapat digunakan untuk meminimalkan dampak negatif globalisasi dan kapitalisme media sosial. Manfaat lain dari sosialisasi dari promosi budaya lokal di media sosial adalah untuk meningkatkan integrasi masyarakat karena didalamnya terdapat nilai-nilai kearifan lokal yang memiliki nilai bersifat nasional bahkan universal.Abstract. Social media uses have been increasing from year to year. However, not all social media content has a positive side. Some negative effects of social media from hoaxes, hate speech, cyberbullying to other negative content are the forms of abuse of social media. It is concern to the public because these have entered the social, political, economic and religious spheres. It is definitely inseparable from the capitalization of a social media corporation. It has been developing with increasingly widespread exposure across national borders, and it has been entering into the lives of various generations, socio-economic strata, education levels and educational backgrounds and experiences as well. The research method used in this research was a qualitative theoretical approach based on observations of social media content and theoretical studies. It aims at seeking to explain the influence of media content on people's behavior in their media use as the enrichment material for social media literacy activities in society for literacy activists. The theoretical explanations used in this research include positive and negative aspects. In this matter the social, political, psychological, educational and cultural perspectives will see the aspects. Moreover, the research results show that local cultural content has the opportunity to fill content in the social media space. Selective, creative, educative, and entertaining local cultural content can be used to minimize the negative effects of globalization and social media capitalism. Another benefit of socialization of local culture promotion on social media is to increase social integration because in the local culture there are local wisdom values and national or universal values as well.


Author(s):  
Folami, Ahmadu Bolanle,

The study aims at shedding light on the positive and negative effects of social media on the lives of Muslim youths’ in Nigeria. although, it is an avenue to reach out to people, gather and spread information to one another in the Muslim domain. However, the youths have also lost their dignity through it, because it is another avenue for fraudulent activities. The work examines the effects of both electronic and print media on the socio-religious spheres of Muslim youths. The ability to use the media for “ networking” has played a significant role in the lives of these youths. As technology continues to evolve, including the means to connect and communicate in cyberspace, young Muslims see it as an opportunity for them to be heard. The researcher employed the use of qualitative and quantitative data analysis in carrying out this study as well as conducting structural interviews inorder to elicit useful information. The research finally suggests that, despite the positive effects of social media on Muslim youths’ through Facebook, Twitter, Instagram WhatsApp, e.t.c in passing meaningful information across the board its negative effect of promoting moral decadence like character assassination, media violence, nudity, obscene movies and videos that have challenged the moral values of a practicing Muslim were not to be overlooked.


Author(s):  
Francesca Di Virgilio

This study develops an integrative model in order to identify the underlying factors that drive employees to engage in social media at work for businesses. More specifically, the model explains the interplay between employment statuses, motivation, job satisfaction, and social activities for the purpose of analyzing the positive effects of social media use and the negative effects of social media overload on social media policy implementation. Nevertheless, the model proposes a research roadmap can be examined by utilizing a framework for the assessment of the use of social media at work, as a tool to improve business organizations. Finally, it concludes with the discussion of several open issues and cutting-edge challenges.


Author(s):  
Charles Kimball

This chapter presents an overview of both the negative and positive effects on American Muslims since the declaration of the post 9/11 “war on terror.” Negative effects are examined in conjunction with the USA Patriot Act and increased US government surveillance programs aimed at Muslims as well as the distinct manifestations of the growing dread or fear of Islam and Muslims known as “Islamophobia.” Several organizations regularly monitor and provide current information documenting hate speech and hate crimes directed at Muslims, including those involving the Ground Zero Mosque and other controversies. The chapter concludes with numerous constructive responses to the negative images and stereotypes fueled by extremists claiming inspiration from Islam. In addition to structured forms of interfaith dialogue and cooperation, such as “A Common Word,” American Muslims have pursued multiple forms of educational initiatives ranging from presentations in churches and public statements denouncing violence to the publication of books and articles.


2020 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Hassan Ebrahimpour Sadagheyani ◽  
Farin Tatari

Purpose Today with the internet expansion, social media has also been identified as a factor in evolutions. Social media is the title used to refer to the set of sites and tools that have been born and developed in the space created by modern media such as communication networks, the internet and mobile phones. The effects of emerging phenomena, such as social media on human health, especially mental health, are important. As the effects of social media on users mental health is unclear, and the evidence in this field is contradictory, this study aims to determine the role of social media on mental health. Design/methodology/approach The current study was a review conducted in 2020. According to keywords, an extensive search was conducted on Web of Science, PubMed, Scopus, Google Scholar, Magiran and SID databases. In total, 501 articles were obtained. The articles were screened in three stages. Finally, out of 501 evaluated articles, 50 cases were carefully assessed and included in the study. Findings The findings showed that social media has negative and positive effects on mental health. Negative effects included anxiety, depression, loneliness, poor sleep quality, poor mental health indicators, thoughts of self-harm and suicide, increased levels of psychological distress, cyber bullying, body image dissatisfaction, fear of missing out and decreased life satisfaction. Positive effects included accessing other people’s health experiences and expert health information, managing depression, emotional support and community building, expanding and strengthening offline networks and interactions, self-expression and self-identity, establish and maintain relationships. Originality/value The impact of social media on mental health can be considered as a double-edged sword. The important thing is to be able to reduce the negative effects of social media on mental health and turn it into an opportunity by implementing appropriate strategies and actions and to increase and strengthen the positive effects.


2021 ◽  
Vol 3 (1) ◽  
pp. 24-33
Author(s):  
Rikho Afriyandi

Hate speech has a negative effect on everyone. Social media plays a role in opening up space in expressing opinions in cyberspace. The development of technology with the opening of communication access seems to disturb the peace. The hope of a safe, peaceful and harmonious life is disturbed by the spread of hate speech. Al-Quran as a way of life is important to be re-presented in reducing hate speech and its negative effects. The purpose of this article is to analyze hate speech in social media and find the spirit of peace in the Koran. The method used is library. The results and discussion reveal that hate speech is spread in various ways and in various forms. Al-Quran forbids every individual to make hate speech and provide solutions by presenting the spirit of peace, namely: by speaking noble, full of courtesy and respect (qoulan karima), telling the truth or the truth (qoulan sadidan), and speaking weakly. soft (qoulan layyina).


Author(s):  
Tobbi Dyer

Social media and smartphones have become a part of our daily lives, and the Internet is being accessed by children at younger and younger ages. This can’t help but influence them in significant ways. While we as a society tend to focus on the negative effects on children, this paper also explores various positive effects and discusses how those benefits can be enhanced while minimizing possible unwanted outcomes.


Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document