The Politics of Social Media
By: Jennifer Carmack, WTHR
Updated: November 5, 2012
In conversation, the two topics most avoided have been religion and politics, but when it comes to social media all bets are off.
Glenn Sparks is a Communications Professor at Purdue University.
He says this political season has yielded a cornucopia of friend dumping.
"Pew Research foundation just issued a study that 20 percent of all Facebook users during this election season have taken some kind of action to protect themselves from political expressions that they really don't want to be exposed to," said Professor Sparks.
"Political communication is communication about deep feelings and I think many people are discovering the text modality of Facebook is not a great medium for expression of deep feelings," he adds.
Sparks says etiquette applies online as well.
He says best practice?
If you wouldn't say it face to face, avoid shouting it on Facebook.
He says political banter may annoy some Facebook friends but it also could cost you your job.
Be sure to check with your company's social media policy before posting any type of controversial topic even on your personal Facebook page.
Glenn Sparks is a Communications Professor at Purdue University.
He says this political season has yielded a cornucopia of friend dumping.
"Pew Research foundation just issued a study that 20 percent of all Facebook users during this election season have taken some kind of action to protect themselves from political expressions that they really don't want to be exposed to," said Professor Sparks.
"Political communication is communication about deep feelings and I think many people are discovering the text modality of Facebook is not a great medium for expression of deep feelings," he adds.
Sparks says etiquette applies online as well.
He says best practice?
If you wouldn't say it face to face, avoid shouting it on Facebook.
He says political banter may annoy some Facebook friends but it also could cost you your job.
Be sure to check with your company's social media policy before posting any type of controversial topic even on your personal Facebook page.
