BANGALORE
While youth are increasingly taking to social networking sites to air their views, the medium doesn't have the reach to influence polls, say experts.
With the country set to witness Lok Sabha polls in 2014, the impact of social media on influencing voters‘ choices has become a hot topic.
Politicians, too, have left no stone unturned, with many of them making their presence felt through Twitter and Facebook to influence voters.
A recent study, jointly conducted by IRIS Knowledge Foundation and Internet and Mobile Association of India, says of the 543 Lok Sabha constituencies, social media is likely to influence about 160 in the next general elections.
The study did a check on the total number of Facebook users in each of the 543 constituencies, and termed the ones where the numbers of users account for over 10% of the voting population as high impact constituencies. The study further revealed that more than 35% of the constituencies won by the Congress and the opposition party, the BJP, in the 2009 general election fell in high-impact constituencies.
A few days ago, Facebook introduced a feature for its Indian users called Register to Vote. Through this platform, people can share status updates and individual stories on voter registration.
Long way to go
While the study has successfully established social media as a decisive political tool, experts feel that this is just the beginning and there is still time till the actual impact of social media is felt in general elections in the country.
“Whatever the data says, I am actually doubtful on how much impact the social media will have on the results of general elections,” says Yashwant Deshmukh, founder, C-voter.
India is still considered traditional when it comes to the use of social media. Not everyone in India has access to the internet, and since they constitute the majority of voters in the country, a crucial part of the population is left out.
According to the provisional census data, of India’s 1.21 billion population, 833 million people live in rural India and 377 million in urban India.
“Unlike their urban counterparts, people in small towns are believe in the power of voting. Though, youth in small towns do have access to Facebook, they are occasional users and hence, the medium will have minimal impact on them as far as swinging party fortunes is concerned,” says Garima Tiwari, a political researcher.
As far as shaping opinion about a political party or candidate is concerned, youngsters are still influenced by family discussions.
“Social media is a mere means of communication for the youth.
They will hold their ground, vent anger and argue on a particular topic. However, opinions are shaped by the family and close friends,” says Deshmukh.
“When I was small, I saw my parents supporting a particular party.
When I started voting, I continued to vote for that party. I have never really discussed in details about politics on social media,” says Rakesh MG, a 27-year-old automobile engineer from the city.
With respect to Twitter users in the country, there is a very small group of users who are highly political in their views. Though there are constant disagreements and debates on about political developments in the micro-blogging site, the decisions of the users are mostly influenced by news reports than actually by engaging with the medium themselves, say experts.
Even the politicians who are active on social media are realistic about its usage.
Union minister Shashi Tharoor has said social networking sites alone cannot help win elections. “One cannot win elections by using only the social media, but it certainly is an asset as it gives new options of reaching to the public. We cannot escape from it,” Tharoor had said.
Strong medium by 2019
“I feel the number of internet users will explode manifold in the coming years, the same way as it happened with the number of mobile phone users,” says Deshmukh.
“I think social media will play a far more important role in the general elections of 2019. It will be a different ball game altogether,” says Tiwari.
As Sky Force nears Rs 150 crore, Nimrat Kaur treats househelp, her kids with movie screening
IND vs ENG: Shreyas Iyer creates history, becomes first player to achieve THIS massive milestone
Meet man, India's richest banker, who has bought Rs 202 crore property, his net worth is Rs...
'Heard there was....': Former India head coach provides major update on Virat Kohli's injury
A New Geopolitical Era: India and Israel's Role in the Evolving Middle East
David Warner’s touching moment with fans after Dubai Capitals reaches final of DP World ILT20
India’s Largest Book Stall Network: PrashantAdvait Foundation’s Mission to Revive Reading Culture
Mawra Hocane stuns in pastel mint green lehenga at her wedding to Ameer Gilani
Deepinder Goyal's Zomato changes its name, CEO shares journey of company, it is now called...
Rose Day 2025: Know the date, history, significance of each rose colour ahead of Valentine's day
'BJP-led NDA works for Santushtikaran, not Tushtikaran': PM Modi in Rajya Sabha
Who is Belle Gibson? Australian wellness guru created fake cancer story and later...
DP World ILT20 2025: Dubai Capitals clinch last ball thriller against Desert Vipers to reach final
Jeet Adani-Diva Shah wedding: First pic from Gautam Adani's mansion OUT as wedding festivities begin
Sunita Williams’ Spacewalk: A Record-Breaking Mission and a Stunning Selfie from Space
IND vs ENG: Ravindra Jadeja creates history in Nagpur, surpasses James Anderson to become....
Can IAS officers change cadres after marriage? Here's what rules say
Pavan Kumar Joshi innovates unemployment benefits payment security
Anil Ambani's company's share price surges over 6 per cent after it earns profit of Rs...
Why Dale Bhagwagar is Bollywood's only PR guru
Meet Anjum Khan, wife of cricket star Shivam Dube, her net worth is Rs...
IAF Mirage 2000 fighter aircraft crashes in MP's Shivpuri during training sortie
Meet IAS Tina Dabi's mother, who cleared UPSC to become IES, later resigned due to...
Good news for Infosys employees! Company to roll out annual hike letters by end of...
BIG win for India's largest govt bank, earns Rs 16891 crore profit in just...
Ajith Kumar's fans celebrate, throng theatres after Vidaamuyarchi's worldwide release: Watch
Purnam’s Spring Edit: Where heritage meets handcrafted luxury
RTPS Bihar: Apply for income, caste, and domicile certificates
'Welfare of students very close to Government's heart': EAM Jaishankar in Rajya Sabha
IND vs ENG: Why is Virat Kohli not playing 1st ODI vs England in Nagpur?
Man's love for Indian wife knows no bounds, makes dosa batter from scratch, video goes viral
Meet woman, CRPF officer, who cracked UPSC exam in first attempt, became...
Trump administration plans to pressure the IOC to come up with a uniform transgender athlete ban
PM Modi's 'Pariksha Pe Charcha' to feature Deepika Padukone, Mary Kom, Sadhguru among others
Why speed matters: Ajay Chava on overhauling CI/CD pipelines for modern development
What does "i" stands for in iPhone, iPad, and other Apple products? Check here to know
Meet Pakistani actress whose leaked private video went viral, often shares bold photos, she is..
After Isha Ambani, Ananya Birla set to enter into new space, it is...
Shah Rukh Khan hugs Aamir Khan at Loveyapa screening, fans say '90s' kids can fly now': Watch
Meet Diva Shah, daughter of diamond tycoon, she is set to marry Gautam Adani’s son Jeet Adani on...
After US, Israel halts participation in UN Human Rights Council
Sanam Teri Kasam actress Mawra Hocane ties the knot with Pakistani star Ameer Gilani, see photos
Meet woman who left MNC job to pursue her uncle’s dream, later cracked UPSC to become IPS officer
Mukesh Ambani buys India’s first bulletproof Rolls-Royce Cullinan, Its price is Rs....
Anil Ambani meets Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis as his Rs 16015 crore company is looking for...
DNA TV Show: What is US President Donald Trump's Gaza plan?
Anil Ambani's company's BIG win, reports Rs 420000000 profit in 3 months, its business is...
US President Donald Trump invites PM Modi on working visit to White House next week
Watch: Malaika Arora's 'oops moment' in short dress caught on camera, video viral
Little girl's adorable dance to 'Maula Mere Maula' captivates netizens, WATCH viral video
India beats China to become world’s second-largest market for...