As the 2020 presidential election comes to an end, we look at the important role social media has played. Platforms like TikTok, Facebook, Instagram and Twitter have become an outlet for eligible and even ineligible voters to express their thoughts.
First-time voter Rachel Rodrigues shared how seeing celebrities and influencers voice their opinions online made her more comfortable in sharing her own, educating herself and being ready to vote.
These social media platforms provided voters with valuable resources, such as links and information on mail-in ballots and voting sites.
Social media has also provided an outlet for viewpoints on candidates. Gen-Zer Sabrina Kelling is ineligible to vote but has used social media to voice her thoughts and opinions. She uses her platforms to educate her followers on the issues.
When asked why millennials and Gen-Zers have taken to social media, FIU Marketing professor Raymond Rody said, “They’re the most influenced, maybe of all, because social media is part of their life. It’s where they get their news, information, their word-of-mouth, etc. They probably trust it more than the news media.”
