This document discusses how social media influences political involvement. It presents research questions about the influence of Facebook, Twitter, YouTube and blogs on political opinions and whether college students are more politically involved on campus or at home. It then outlines the methodology, including a questionnaire, and presents some preliminary findings showing high social media usage and an increase in younger voter turnout from 2008.

1. Politics and Mobile Media
Lindsey Taggart Jason Sirmon

2. Conceptual Theoretical Framework
• Facebook
Does Exposer
to Social Media • Twitter
Increase
Political
Involvement
• YouTube
• Blogs
• Users
Collect Data • Influential
• Political Opinion
Influence
• Acton
• Change Voter
preference

3. Exposer to social media
Increases political involvement

4. Research Questions:
RQ1:
How deep of an influence does Facebook,
Twitter and Youtube have on political opinion?
RQ2:
Are college students more apt to become
politically involved on colleges campus or where
they consider home?

5. West 0 South 74
Midwest 3 Northeast 7

6. Age ofParticipants
18-29 (82)
29-34 (7)
35-40 (1)
40 & over (6)

7. Method & Questionnaire
Strongly Disagree Neutral Agree Strongly
Disagree Agree
I plan to vote in the 2012 presidential election. 1 2 3 4 5
I share the same political affiliation as my father. 1 2 3 4 5
I share the same political affiliation as my mother. 1 2 3 4 5
I am knowledgeable about using an absentee ballot. 1 2 3 4 5
If needed, I would use early or absentee voting to 1 2 3 4 5
ensure my vote is counted.
I receive information about political candidates from 1 2 3 4 5
Facebook.
I receive information about political candidates from 1 2 3 4 5
YouTube.
I receive information about political candidates from 1 2 3 4 5
Twitter.
I receive information about political candidates from 1 2 3 4 5
blogs.

8. The Rise of Younger Voters

9. Buggey, T. (2007, Summer). Storyboard for Ivan's morning routine.
Diagram. Journal of Positive Behavior Interventions, 9(3), 151. Retrieved
December 14, 2007, from Academic Search Premier database.
Average Monthly Site Visits (February 2007 through January 2008)

10. Use of Internet Media
% Change (since February 2007)
Buggey, T. (2007, Summer). Storyboard for Ivan's morning routine. Diagram. Journal of Positive Behavior Interventions, 9(3), 151. Retrieved
December 14, 2007, from Academic Search Premier database.
Use of Internet Media Leading Up to the 2008 U.S. Presidential Primaries

11. 2008 Voter Turnout Rate Age 18-29
80
70
60
50
40
30
20
10
0
Catholic Protestant Born-again None
2008 American National Election Studies (ANES)

12. Real Numbers
Number
Percent
Did not Answer (12)
Were able to vote (26
Not able to vote (52)
Were able & did not (9/34)
Were able & did (26/72)
0 20 40 60 80

13. What Political Party are
you registered with?
Republican
31
Democratic 21
Independent 20
No Party 24

14. Which network do you receive the most
political information from
50
45
40
35 7.00 15.00 9.00 4.00 7.00 49.00
30
25
20
15
10
5
0
33 TV 20 none 11 online news 4 newspaper

15. Politics and Mobile Media
Lindsey Taggart Jason Sirmon

16. References
• The center for information & Research on Civic Learning & Engagement
www.civicyouth.org By Amanda Nover (2010)
• Halperin, Shirley, 'X Factor': With 10 Million Votes Cast, How Does it Compare to
'American Idol'? (Analysis) 6:30 AM PDT 11/4/2011 Hollywood Reporter
http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/live-feed/x-factor-10-million-votes-257672
• Paul, Ron. / This November 5th dot com/ http://thisnovember5th.com/
• Powell, L., Richmond, V. P., & Williams, G. C. (2011). Social Networking and Political
Campaigns: Perceptions of Candidates as Interpersonal Constructs. North
American Journal Of Psychology, 13(2), 331-342.
• English, K., Sweetser, K. D., & Ancu, M. (2011). YouTube-ification of Political Talk:
An Examination of Persuasion Appeals in Viral Video. American Behavioral
Scientist, 55(6), 733-748
• Ishizuka, K. (2007). Election '08. School Library Journal, 53(4), 22.