The debates are getting personal and it’s not the barbs between candidates at issue. Facebook friends are offending each other as they use the platform as a soapbox to express political views. It’s leading to people to “unfriend” each other, sometimes bleeding into real life.
“It used to be that three topics were taboo in conversation: politics, religion and money. Some on Facebook think you can’t see me so I have a free pass,” says Jenny Armentrout, assistant professor of communication studies as Saint Mary’s College.
Facebook is more popular than four years ago, creating a larger environment to espouse personal views on politics. Forget about a debate. It’s often a one-sided conversation that welcomes like-minded comments and maligns those who may think differently—a sign of the politically polarized times.
While we all have the freedom to speak, Armentrout says, you should still have some level of etiquette. Would you say the same things you are writing?
“I adhere to the adage, ‘Put your mind in gear before you release the clutch on your mouth’ I think about really effectively listening, and allowing everyone to have some stake in the conversation,'" says Armentrout.
Rather than “unfriend” someone, Armentrout offers, you can hide certain posts from your Facebook friends, and reset the filters after the election.
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