Support Refute
The media enables the spread of false information. Social media increases activism for social movements.
- The high percentage of social media use creates a - The prominent use of social media increasingly
wildfire of misleading content. Spreading false sways Americans to use social platforms to spread
information now makes videos unreliable with the use information. Movements such as Abolish ICE and
of editing. Since many people spend most of their time MeToo gives people a chance to speak up and expose
on social media, they become susceptible to believe those who abuse their power. With Americans being
anything without searching for a reliable source. When civically active on social media, they persuade others
it comes to negative stereotypes, biases in the media to stand and advocate for what they believe in.
led to false content as posts lack context.
It’s easier to skew hate when people are able to hide their Government officials pay closer attention to public issues.
identity. - The coverage of issues in social media platforms
- Anonymity promotes free speech on the internet, prompts government officials to campaign on them.
however, the lack of accountability causes individuals Additionally, the media allows officials to engage
to act out. Social media sites allow users to share posts with the public and gain support from the American
while remaining anonymous. When people mask their people. When members of government research and
identity, they believe that they won’t suffer the tackle public issues, it demonstrates how actually
consequences of their actions. This demonstrates that citizens have a voice.
social media causes people to abuse their right to
freedom of speech.
Militia and terrorist groups have the opportunity to recruit Social Media exposes users to different beliefs and opinions.
members and spread racist propaganda. - Since the media functions as a ubiquitous source of
- Biases in the media create negative stereotypes, which information, it hugely shapes people’s beliefs. The
fuels hate speech. The trend in hate speech use of pathos in social media can move individuals to
significantly comes from the change in America’s change their standards or opinions. Furthermore, the
political climate. When extreme rumors or false variation of public opinion in the media requires
information circulates on social media, it motivates people to be impartial. This feature of the media also
hate groups to become violent. For instance, the reveals how impartiality could lead to a change of
media’s response in covering or disclosing information beliefs.
about the BLM protest influenced a KKK leader to
drive his car through a group of demonstrators.
Media bias creates a divide between political parties, which The use of social media increases criminal prosecution.
destroys the unity amongst the American people. - The media plays a major role in investigations and
- Social media algorithms only show posts that interest many social media users lack the information that
users and support their beliefs. Although this system they can’t permanently delete their activity. Since
maintains order with the content that’s displayed, it criminals have full access to social media it’s easier
can cause people to be close-minded. When a person for justices to point suspects. For example, the killers
isn’t exposed to information that contradicts their of Ahmaud Arbery were arrest by police after a video
beliefs, it’ll be harder for them to relate or accept other of them murdering Arbery was released on social
people’s perspectives. media.
Reference Sources
● https://www.pnas.org/content/115/37/9216?https://www.pnas.org/content/115/37/9216?
● https://www.cfr.org/backgrounder/hate-speech-social-media-global-comparisons
● https://engineering.stanford.edu/magazine/article/how-fake-news-spreads-real-virus
● https://www.csl.mtu.edu/cs6461/www/Reading/Davenport02.pdf
● https://contentgroup.com.au/2017/03/importance-social-media-government/#:~:text=Soci
al%20media%20allows%20engagement%20with,government%20decisions%20and%20
public%20policy.
● https://www.britannica.com/topic/public-opinion/The-mass-media
● https://www.raconteur.net/public-sector/online-activism-pro-con/
● https://www.vistacollege.edu/blog/careers/the-link-between-criminal-justice-and-social-m
edia/
