This year, due to quarantine restrictions, BLM protests, and an active political landscape, we have seen a significant rise in social media use all across the age and demographic board in the United States. People are using social media now more than ever, but not just for connecting and communicating with friends. It has become a network of political debate and activism, and has increased in that area astronomically in 2020.

Social media, especially this year, has caused significant divisions within our political network. For example, people on platforms like Instagram have posted “if you support Trump, unfollow me.” Others have posted similar things and many different users have created viral posts that cause more hatred and divide between the political parties. More celebrities than ever are encouraging people to vote, as well as many influencers and daily users of social media platforms. People are reposting and sharing the viral posts and celebrity advocacy, which reels users into the political conversation. This creates a larger platform for discussion, but further polarizes the political spectrum.

Donald Trump has also been a big player in changing the social media landscape for politics in the past few years. His use of Twitter has made that platform more political than ever, as he posts opinions and announcements regularly. Political figures and news networks receive a lot of attention on Twitter due to its growing impact on politics.

Another way that cell phone use has changed the political environment in the U.S is through the Black Lives Matter movement. The recording of the George Floyd murder emphasizes the impact of cell phones on events and social issues. Bystanders witnessed and recorded the event, which was posted and went viral, and brought people to speak up against racial injustice and police brutality. His death sparked the protests that occurred in March and April of 2020, and the conversation on racism has continued since then through social media.

Overall, this year has been a game changer for social media in politics and activism. It has brought so many more citizens into the political conversation and increased social media usage overall. Emerging platforms like Tik Tok have also been crucial in bringing the younger generation into politics. People are involved now more than ever, all due to the 2020 shift of social media in politics.