Social Media And Modern Elections

A single TikTok can redefine a candidate faster than a week of traditional ads, and that reality is changing American elections in real time. We sit down with educator Spencer Burrows to trace how campaign communication evolved from “earned media” moments to Facebook fundraising, Twitter as a direct line to voters, and now podcasts and short-form video that reach people who don’t even think of themselves as political. Along the way, we ask what this means for Gen Z voters, whose political information often shows up as quick clips, creator commentary, and algorithmic recommendations. We also get honest about the darker incentive structure baked into platform design. When engagement rewards outrage, candidates and even members of Congress can feel pushed to grandstand and chase viral moments instead of doing the slow work of negotiation and compromise. We talk about how rage bait spreads, why attention gets fragmented, and how a “big” viral controversy can distract from the issues that actually shape people’s lives at the local, state, and federal level. Then we pivot to solutions that educators, students, and everyday voters can use right now: go to the source, compare multiple perspectives, and learn to frame better questions before reacting. We also look ahead to AI and deepfakes, why they’re so concerning, and why a healthy skepticism is quickly becoming a core civic skill. If you care about media literacy, civic education, and the future of democratic participation, listen, share this with a friend, and leave us a review so more people can find the show. Check Out the Civic Literacy Curriculum!School of Civic and Economic Thought and LeadershipCenter for American Civics