No Blame for Selfies

 

CURTIS LEE Staff Writer

The increasing use of social media and online entertainment has been seen as both a catalyst and a prohibitor to human connection. In the rise of the 2016 presidential elections, there have been accusations of political ignorance. More specifically, ignorance due to the excessive use of online applications that deter millennials from learning the current events from Capitol Hill. The cause of this century’s problem is not found in social media but rather in apathy.

Applications like Snapchat and Instagram are platforms that allow for individuals to share what they want. However, the platform is open to anything that the guidelines do not deem inappropriate or threatening. This includes political ideas and movements that can gain more momentum online. Similar to the rise in popularity of the television, presidents streamed campaign messages on these channels. According to the Census Bureau, there has been an increase of voters from the 2000-2012 presidential elections.

The majority of the increase was seen in African Americans, Asians and Latinos. A rise in movements related to social injustices are largely successful due to online support and promotion. Voter and political apathy is the more prominent issue with the younger generations. Whether this is due to insufficient confidence in voting or genuine lack of interest, both issues can be addressed instead of merely blaming social media for the lack of interest in politics.