Evaluating the uses and realizing the benefits of social media use in politics

Abstract

Social media use in politics is evolving to become significantly more complex. The increased use of social media in a political context presents several challenges. Among these are the impact of social media on the control of information, information literacy, and the digital divide. At the same time, the opportunities for sharing, collaboration, and engagement provided by the medium of social media are crucial to understanding how and why these tools can and should be used in politics. Evaluating the uses and realizing the benefits of social media use in politics About the Author(s): Catherine McGoveran (MLIS Candidate, 2013) has a BA Honours in Political Science and French from Carleton University. She has experience with student government and in academic and government libraries, and her recent research has focused on Canadian elections and social media use in politics.