Study: Social media users shy away
from opinions
People on Facebook and Twitter say they are less
likely to share their opinions on hot-button issues, even when they are
offline, according to a surprising new survey by the Pew Research Center. The
study, done in conjunction with Rutgers University in New Jersey, challenges
the view of social media as a vehicle for debate by suggesting that sites like
Facebook and Twitter might actually encourage self-censorship. Keith Hampton
as researcher said they detect what they call the "spiral of silence"
phenomenon: Unless people know their audience agrees, they are likely to shy
away from discussing anything controversial."People do not tend to be
using social media for this type of important political discussion and
if anything, it may actually be removing conversation from the public sphere is
a communication professor at Rutgers University who helped conduct the study”.
The survey was conducted shortly after former NSA analyst Edward Snowden
acknowledged leaking classified intelligence that exposed widespread government
surveillance of Americans' phone and email records. Hampton said “the
Snowden case provided researchers with a concrete example of a major national
issue that divided Americans and dominated news coverage of the 1,801 adults
surveyed, 86 percent, they would be willing to discuss their views about
government surveillance if it came up at various in-person scenarios, such as
at a public meeting, at work or at a restaurant with friends”. But just 42
percent of Facebook or Twitter users said they would be willing to post online
about it. What's more, the typical Facebook user, someone who logs onto the
site a few times per day was actually half as likely to discuss the Snowden
case at a public meeting as a non-Facebook user. Someone who goes on Twitter a
few times per day was one-quarter as likely to share opinions in the workplace
compared with those who never use Twitter. Only when a person felt that their
Facebook network agreed with their opinion were they twice as likely to join a
site discussion on the issue, the survey found. Another finding was that social
media didn't make it easier for people to share opinions they wouldn't
otherwise share. Of the 14 percent of Americans unwilling to discuss the
Snowden case with others in person, less than one-half of 1 percent was willing
to discuss it on social media. Lee Rainie, director of the Pew Research
Center Internet Project, said it's possible that social media actually
sensitize people to different opinions."Because they use social media,
they may know more about the depth of disagreement over the issue in their wide
circle of contacts," he said. "This might make them hesitant to
speak up either online or offline for fear of starting an argument, offending
or even losing a friend."While many people might say keeping political
debate off Facebook is a matter of tact, Hampton said there is a concern
that a person's fear of offending someone on social media stifles
debate."A society where people aren't able to share their opinions openly
and gain from understanding alternative perspectives is a polarized
society," he said.
SOURCE:
http://m.thejakartapost.com/news/2014/08/27/study-social-media-users-shy-away-opinions.html.
*DIRECT
SENTENCES*
1) Keith Hampton as researcher said
they detect what they call the "spiral of silence" phenomenon: Unless
people know their audience agrees, they are likely to shy away from discussing
anything controversial."People do not tend to be using social media for
this type of important political discussion and if anything, it may actually be
removing conversation from the public sphere is a communication professor at
Rutgers University who helped conduct the study”.
2) Hampton said” the Snowden case
provided researchers with a concrete example of a major national issue that
divided Americans and dominated news coverage of the 1,801 adults surveyed, 86
percent, they would be willing to discuss their views about government
surveillance if it came up at various in-person scenarios, such as at a public
meeting, at work or at a restaurant with friends”.
