The digital election: How social media is reshaping UK democracy

In the UK’s 2019 general election, social media platforms like Facebook, Twitter, YouTube and Instagram are playing a more prominent role than in any previous campaign. As the election enters its final stages, political scientist Travis Ridout, co-director of the highly respected Wesleyan Media Project – travels to the UK to immerses himself in current online activity. He finds out what strategies and techniques are being used to influence – or manipulate voters – and considers what lessons from the USA could be influencing the campaign. He reports from the digital front line in a key marginal constituency to find out how digital campaigning is being used to target undecided voters.

(Photo: Social media apps on a mobile phone. Credit: Muhammed Sleim Lorkutata/Anadolu Agency/Getty Images)