How does social media change opinion-forming and political engagement? How do politicians use social media? PD Dr. Jan-Hinrik Schmidt addresses these questions in the newly published book “Zwischen Partizipationsversprechen und Algorithmenmacht. Wie soziale Medien politisches Handeln prägen [Between the Promise of Participation and the Power of Algorithms. How Social Media Shape Political Action]”. In a video interview with the State Agency for Civic Education Thuringia, the author answers questions about the content of the new publication.
About the Book
Social media such as Facebook, YouTube, Instagram or Twitter have become important tools of political communication. Politicians as well as volunteers use them to inform about their goals and to mobilise support. With their help, citizens can participate in social debates and contribute their own opinions. At the same time, the rules and mechanisms of social media can also lead to filter bubbles, echo chambers and hate speech. This book describes in a generally understandable way in which politicians use social media, how social media change opinion formation and political engagement, and how we should contain these developments in society in order not to endanger our democracy.