How The Internet Is Playing A Major Role In The 2016 Election | The Odyssey Online
Start writing a post
Politics and Activism

How The Internet Is Playing A Major Role In The 2016 Election

People say it's the first Internet election.

24
How The Internet Is Playing A Major Role In The 2016 Election
cbsistatic

As the times change, so do our elections. Technology a the key to learning more about a candidate. New technology creates new ways of reaching the people, as we have seen in the past. In 1960, John F. Kennedy and Richard Nixon faced off in the first televised presidential debate. In 2010, Obama became the first president to send out a Tweet. Now, it is 2016, and this year will be known to many as the first “internet election."

For a generation who is constantly on the internet, this is great news. Instead of tuning into a debate or speech, we finally have the capability to go online and learn about the candidates at our will at any time. It is easy to find information on any candidate without looking too hard. This election we have seen that candidates freely post to social media and have supports who do too. Opinions are everywhere, but how about the facts?

Unfortunately, the world is flooded with bias. Although opinions are healthy and protected, it is hard to form an opinion on a candidate when twisted information is easier to find than solid facts. Eli Pariser, a digital critic, has said that “the internet has become personalized rather than universal.” Many arguments are made solely from opinions rather than hard evidence. Many people find other people who believe the same thing they do, rather than looking at facts.

With this being said, there is no doubt a person can go looking for a crooked opinion and find someone who can back it up in some way.It is only natural that voters would look for information that supports their views, but the Internet makes it too easy. Not only is it the information that is affecting us, it is also our brains. Nicholas Carr says that the Internet is "restructuring our brains' so that we skim the surface of information.

Not only do the voters of the Internet have an impact on our views, the candidates also have a voice online as well. With Clinton and Trump having over 6 million followers on Twitter, it is no doubt their voices are heard all over the country. Twitter has proved in the last year to be a huge social media for candidates to take advantage of.

Since 87 percent of adults in the US use the internet, it would be surprising if the Internet wasn't a major source of information on the upcoming election. Although information has a strong bias, whether purposefully or not, the Internet is a great way to relay information. If voters can better their abilities to distinguish the truth from distorted reality, the Internet has a bright future in the world of elections.

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
Featured

15 Mind-Bending Riddles

Hopefully they will make you laugh.

182546
 Ilistrated image of the planet and images of questions
StableDiffusion

I've been super busy lately with school work, studying, etc. Besides the fact that I do nothing but AP chemistry and AP economics, I constantly think of stupid questions that are almost impossible to answer. So, maybe you could answer them for me, and if not then we can both wonder what the answers to these 15 questions could be.

Keep Reading...Show less
Entertainment

Most Epic Aurora Borealis Photos: October 2024

As if May wasn't enough, a truly spectacular Northern Lights show lit up the sky on Oct. 10, 2024

9306
stunning aurora borealis display over a forest of trees and lake
StableDiffusion

From sea to shining sea, the United States was uniquely positioned for an incredible Aurora Borealis display on Thursday, Oct. 10, 2024, going into Friday, Oct. 11.

It was the second time this year after an historic geomagnetic storm in May 2024. Those Northern Lights were visible in Europe and North America, just like this latest rendition.

Keep Reading...Show less
 silhouette of a woman on the beach at sunrise
StableDiffusion

Content warning: This article contains descriptions of suicide/suicidal thoughts.

When you are feeling down, please know that there are many reasons to keep living.

Keep Reading...Show less
Relationships

Power of Love Letters

I don't think I say it enough...

453937
Illistrated image of a letter with 2 red hearts
StableDiffusion

To My Loving Boyfriend,

  • Thank you for all that you do for me
  • Thank you for working through disagreements with me
  • Thank you for always supporting me
  • I appreciate you more than words can express
  • You have helped me grow and become a better person
  • I can't wait to see where life takes us next
  • I promise to cherish every moment with you
  • Thank you for being my best friend and confidante
  • I love you and everything you do

To start off, here's something I don't say nearly enough: thank you. Thank you, thank you, thank you from the bottom of my heart. You do so much for me that I can't even put into words how much I appreciate everything you do - and have done - for me over the course of our relationship so far. While every couple has their fair share of tiffs and disagreements, thank you for getting through all of them with me and making us a better couple at the other end. With any argument, we don't just throw in the towel and say we're done, but we work towards a solution that puts us in a greater place each day. Thank you for always working with me and never giving up on us.

Keep Reading...Show less
Lifestyle

11 Signs You Grew Up In Hauppauge, NY

Because no one ever really leaves.

24162
Map of Hauppauge, New York
Google

Ah, yes, good old Hauppauge. We are that town in the dead center of Long Island that barely anyone knows how to pronounce unless they're from the town itself or live in a nearby area. Hauppauge is home to people of all kinds. We always have new families joining the community but honestly, the majority of the town is filled with people who never leave (high school alumni) and elders who have raised their kids here. Around the town, there are some just some landmarks and places that only the people of Hauppauge will ever understand the importance or even the annoyance of.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments