In the context of the increasing use of social media and new digital technologies by political leaders, parties and candidates at the time of elections; and the emerging debate about social media’s role not just in shaping opinions and voting choices but also in fuelling social conflict through misinformation and communally divisive propaganda, this collaborative report between the Lokniti programme of the Centre for the Study of Developing Societies and Konrad Adenauer Stiftung has looked at four aspects related to social media in India  – one, the actual extent of its usage among the voters; two, the socio-economic profile of those who use it; three, the impact it may be having on voters’ awareness levels, and their attitudes regarding minorities and the growing identity related debates in the country; and, four, its possible impact on voting choices in the 2019 Lok Sabha elections.  

Read the full report here.

Media coverage

• Role of social media as influencer of voting choices overhyped: CSDS study - https://bit.ly/2XEF5Fj
• How ground campaigning still dominates poll results - https://bit.ly/2KcZZbK
  
• Voters Had Heard of ‘Chowkidar’, Not Much of ‘NYAY’: CSDS - https://bit.ly/2Kb0zXn
  
• No significant influence of social media on BJP’s Lok Sabha poll win: Study - https://bit.ly/2wLDGku
  
• Impact of social media (in hindi) - https://bit.ly/2Kb1abz
  
• Social media was not a key player in influencing Lok Sabha poll outcome; BJP would have won despite online campaign, reveals CSDS #mce_temp_url#report. - https://bit.ly/2WJcW3y
  
• Occasional social-media users believe India belongs to only Hindus. - https://bit.ly/2ZmE4SL