Social media reflects ugly side of voters

Social media gives people the power to organize and inform, but it’s also frequently used to exhibit narcissism and ignorance, according to Brian Solis, principal analyst at Altimeter Group, a research and advisory firm. Such behavior reflects the uglier side of political discourse, he says.

Many people simply haven’t learned how to be civil on social sites, according to Solis. “Instead we use the channel as a way of imposing our perspective and thrust it upon our community in ways that have been incredibly divisive and unproductive,” he says. “What we’re seeing is the psychological and sociological impact of social media on society.” […]

The 2016 presidential election through social media’s lens

[…] Today, the medium is often an “ugly soapbox” for politics because people can easily exert their opinions with a few keystrokes, according to Solis. “It brings out the darker side of digital introverts in that we are willing to say anything … without logically thinking about its impact on what’s reality and what people will think about us beyond this election.”

Solis says the potential ramifications of social media on America’s collective political psyche are disconcerting and worrisome. “We are not behaving like adults, and we’re supposed to be leading the future of this country,” he says. “We’re voting for our children, and this behavior online is incredibly selfish.” […]