The role of social media in the political life of modern Great Britain

The article discusses the influence of the phenomenon of social media on the political sphere of the life of the United Kingdom. The author dwells on the history and development of social media and social networks in particular, determines the place of the researched phenomenon in modern life. The article also reflects an attempt to delineate the range of phenomena covered by the term "social media". If to study the role of social media in political life, an important aspect is that they cover a significant part of the population. However, the author notes that the use of social media can affect a person both positively (expanding circle of friends, restoring ties with friends, optimization of the virtual space for spreading information) and negatively (lack of attention, poor concentration). In addition, the author examines in detail the concept of social media, their classification, the impact on human psychology, focusing on the role of the phenomenon in the political events of the United Kingdom as an example of street riots in 2011. In particular, in the article the effectiveness of social media in organizing riots is assessed; their big role in these events is emphasized. Also there is an analysis of the reactions of the United Kingdom government to these events: the importance of the role of social networks in the socio-political life of the country proved controversial government attempts to limit or even prohibit their use. It is also important that the result of the events became a precedent which initiated online censorship: two young men were convicted and sentenced to imprisonment for incitement to looting and unrest, indicating the exact time and place, shared on Facebook. In conclusion, the author emphasizes the ambiguity of this phenomenon and the fact that it brings dramatic changes to the political life of society: the possibility of generating new social subjects increases, the attitude of politicians with the population and the role of the population in political decision-making are changing. At the same time there is another side: the government has a new tool to promote its interests, to influence the population as well as national security. Thus the thesis that social media, giving people an opportunity to interact more quickly with each other, are gaining a greater influence on social and political life along with the mass media is reflected in the article.

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