The Struggle to Stay out of Politics

It is impossible to escape from modern-day politics. Recently, the Washington Post wrote an article about how politics has intensified because opposing groups no longer respect one another. Seemingly, social media has played a significant role in this growing divide in our country and has fundamentally altered the political discourse, especially for adolescents. With recommendation algorithms spewing political propaganda, it can seem impossible not to have a bias or opinion in upcoming elections. These complex algorithms use personal data to make them spend more time on the platform by radicalizing users. Furthermore, candidates spread their messages and bolster support effectively through this medium. Since social media is so accessible to youth, they are forming political beliefs long before they are eligible to vote. According to Sentiment, a cloud customer service platform, 93% of U.S. teens are actively using social media, which means that they have access to political propaganda at their fingertips. According to 10th grader Luke Silva, “There is simply no way to stay out of politics in the modern age.” Upsetting posts on social media drive further interaction with the platform, forming a wedge between political parties and making it increasingly challenging to reach a bipartisan consensus on any legislation. 

This political divide transcends social media and is embedded in many facets of our society today. Most things in our culture have become “political” in ways that make it hard for people of our generation not to notice. As we approach the heated political season in a few months, we will be overwhelmed with not only presidential debates but also campaigns that spread tag phrases into the 24/7 news cycle, belittling opponents and even the political system itself. For example, in 2020, Trump referred to his opponent as “Crooked Joe Biden” before claiming later the election had been rigged. Their words, magnified by mass media outlets, will reach all corners of society, from YouTube videos to bucker stickers. Lawrence Liu, a sophomore at the School, said, “I still see Recall Gavin Newsom bumper stickers around town. It seems like there is no escape.” Even in your own car, you are not free from political messaging. 

Perhaps there is no escape because the digital world is so interconnected. In the past, people who wanted to learn about politics took action to do so, namely buying a paper or engaging in a conversation. But today, everything is seamlessly pushed to us, even in the comfort of our own homes. We have become mass consumers of all forms of content. As a result, it seems impossible to go through your day without coming into contact with some form of political messaging – whether it’s something you are in favor of or against. Unfortunately, since this messaging aims to outrage people and gain their votes, the world is becoming increasingly angry. With the 2024 Presidential Election just six months away, it will only get worse. Welcome to our new political age.