Fear of Exclusion on Social Media: The Spiral of Silence

On social media, most of us want to communicate with people who have opinions that are close to our own. Because people who write and draw the opposite of something that the majority speaks with the same mouth are generally excommunicated. So what is the reason for this?

Almost everyone has a Facebook, Instagram or Twitter account. Social events, which are generally on the agenda on these platforms, are being talked about by most users. So have you ever thought about this before? Well yes, something is on the agenda and we are constantly thinking and writing about these issues, but who wants us to express an opinion on them? Or why talk to other people about every agenda topic? ‘in a similar way’ Do you feel compelled to talk?

In fact, the reason is clear: Those who set the agendas in order to create a certain perception on social media, of course, are the companies that control the digital networks or the people with power and wealth. These are the secret powers in the background that we do not see with our eyes… Here we need to talk about an important issue. on the issue raised What happens to people who talk about things that shouldn’t be talked about?

According to academic Elisabeth Noelle-Neumann’s theory of the ‘Spiral of Silence’, the dominant view silencing the minority views that do not suit it.

Elisabeth Noelle Neumann

Without boring you too much, let’s briefly explain the theory and discuss how it might be related to social media through examples. According to Neumann, people who have ideas that are accepted in the society can express themselves more confidently and comfortably. However, those who think differently from the general public have lower self-confidence and these people fear of social exclusion can live.

spiral of silence

In short, while the majority has the opportunity to express themselves comfortably under all circumstances; minority may have to suppress their thoughts. People who have different ideas than everyone else thinks, As long as they remain silent, they may no longer speak.

You ask why? because people they don’t want to struggle with their negative reactions and they silence themselves. Since this situation is constantly repeated, it can become a loop, that is, a spiral.

There is also this, for example, we have all learned right/wrong, good/bad by observing our environment since childhood. Of course, these judgments are the ones we grew up with. according to the perception of the environment has been shaped.

Cancellation culture

According to the Spiral of Silence Theory, people begin to adopt whatever idea was generally accepted at that time. In other words, it happens that ideas become popular and then fall, you know, that same account. Even this on Twitter ”Don’t be TT” You know from love.

If the thoughts that rise for a period are in accordance with one’s own thoughts, then he can speak and express himself freely. However, if one’s thoughts are not popular in the mainstream, then that individual He feels as if he has to keep quiet.

social media

If you’ve already stumbled upon discussion forums on Twitter or post comments on Instagram, people posting something different from what they want to hear, immediately attempted verbal attack you can see they are.

Whoever manages the social media platforms, the policies of that person are valid there. The account that blows the whistle that gives the money.

Social media sociology

Let’s take the example of Twitter, which was recently purchased by Elon Musk. When he first took over Twitter, will give importance to freedom of expression had expressed. But as soon as he took office, he laid off a large number of employees.

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Elon Musk

Also, as soon as Musk came to power, his ex-girlfriend Amber Heard His account was also closed instantly. Of course, there is no certainty that Musk has a hand in this matter, since Heard has previously said that he will close his account. It just caught the attention of most people.

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On top of that, Musk said that the blue tick will now be sold to all users for money. Now, what is the relevance of this, like this: Someone owns a digital platform and from the moment they get the power he sets new rules in that place according to his wishes.

For example, in simpler terms, if users If they want to stay on Twitter, That means they have to play the game by Musk’s rules. Those who are not satisfied with this situation, maybe they will leave the platform for good and become silent, we don’t know… Therefore, this is an example that is compatible with the theory we explained above.

Another example: For example, we are all on digital platforms, be it Instagram, Twitter, Facebook or YouTube. spam, report and block You can use features like We can immediately show these reasons and complain about people who we think are disrupting the peace and structure of society with their posts, let’s say on Instagram.

Suppose there is an influencer and he has 10 million followers. Let this person open a live broadcast. When he speaks in a way that the audience may not like on the live broadcast, he many people watching at that moment can react.

social media lynching

Immediately, followers can unite and have this phenomenon’s account closed by spamming. Sometimes even that is not all, they can reveal the person’s ideas to other people by taking screenshots just because their ideas do not suit them. Like this smear and lynching campaigns are launched.

Social media disclosure

The individual who is exposed to this situation now knows what will happen when he behaves according to his own mind without pocketing the thoughts of the people who follow him on social media. So when his account is opened for the second time, maybe now it can make broadcasts or produce content that its audience speaks according to their wishes.

What does cancellation culture mean?

As you can see, these ‘block’, ‘spam’, ‘complain’ and ‘report’ features of social media, ideological tools that feed the spiral of silence. turns into Maybe it is not so easy to silence someone in real life, but you can solve the problem with one click in the digital environment.

These tools are constantly have self-control and a sense of responsibility towards others. it causes. Why?

Because most people “Oh, I’ll get a reaction, oh Ali Rıza, don’t let our mouth taste bad now” He prefers not to express his opinion on social issues. Those who say, “Unlike these people, I think so and so” are left with cursing, insults, and being expelled from nine villages. Sometimes, as we just mentioned, they may even become unable to use their personal accounts again.

So what do you think? Social media is supposed to be ‘freedom of expression’ Is it an accepted place? Share your thoughts with us in the comments.

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