PowerShare; Technology and Social Media’s Impact on Politics

Author:
Lee, Christopher, School of Engineering and Applied Science, University of Virginia
Advisors:
Foley, Rider, EN-Engineering and Society, University of Virginia
Ibrahim, Ahmed, EN-Comp Science Dept, University of Virginia
Abstract:

Technology and Social Media’s Impact on Politics
Social media and technology has a significant impact on politics. The technology that I am creating to address this problem is a cross-platform mobile application that bridges the gap of communication between voters and elected officials. It is built with a React Native front end and a Firebase backend. The human and social dimensions of this technology is important to consider because this technology shows the impact that technology has on voter communication and politics as a whole. One theory that I might use to analyze my problem solving approach is that of techno-politics. Techno-politics is the theory that technological artifacts themselves have political properties, and this will likely be highly pertinent to my research. I will first be giving out surveys to voters in order to gain an initial understanding of how social media impacts their politics. I will then be diving into more detail through interviews. Through my research, I expect to find that social media and technology are highly interconnected with politics. My technology will show one of the many ways that social media and Internet can impact politics, which is through it facilitating voter and elected official communication.

Degree:
BS (Bachelor of Science)
Keywords:
Politics , Technology, Computer Science
Notes:

School of Engineering and Applied Sciences

Bachelor of Science in Computer Science

Technical Advisor: Ahmed Ibrahim

STS Advisor: Rider Foley

Technical Team Members: Andy Tan, Christopher Lee, Stephen Thringer, Renat Abazov, Jeremy Nathan, Richard Ohr

Language:
English
Issued Date:
2020/04/30