Media plays a major role in US politics and elections, and in today’s digital age, social media (for example YouTube, Tik Tok, Instagram, X), has become the main source of political information for teenagers and young adults. By political information, we mean:
• Information and opinions about political candidates
• Information and opinions about public policies
• Information and opinions about social issues, the state of the economy, international issues, etc. as they influence the thinking of voters as they go to the polls.
Given its impact and the degree of unreliable or intentionally distorted information on social media, do you think that it should or should not be regulated?
a. If yes, why, and how should this be done, and how should society address the tension between widespread inaccuracies, accountability and the First Amendment?
b. If no, why, and what do you recommend should be done to address the influence that mis- and dis-information have on the electoral/democratic process?
Lexington High School Library Media Center