Question

The Internet and social media have increased the level of interactions between politicians and citizens, but how has their use changed the nature of the interactions?

Their use has made interactions more volatile.
Their use has structured the nature of the interactions.
Their use has increased the formality of the interactions.
Their use has required citizens to be proactive.

Answer 1

All four statements are not equally true. Short answers with brief justifications:

- Their use has made interactions more volatile — True. Social media amplifies speed, emotional reactions, and viral spread, producing rapid shifts, polarization, crises, and “cancel” dynamics that make interactions more unpredictable.

- Their use has structured the nature of the interactions — True. Platform affordances (character limits, likes/shares, comment threads, algorithms, livestreams) and formats (tweets, stories, DMs) shape what kinds of messages get made and how people respond, so the medium structures the interaction.

- Their use has increased the formality of the interactions — False (generally). Online interactions tend to be less formal (direct messages, memes, casual language). Official channels still sometimes use formal postings, but overall the net effect is informalization.

- Their use has required citizens to be proactive — True. To be heard, to verify information, to mobilize or hold officials accountable, citizens increasingly must seek out information, engage strategically (post, share, organize), and develop digital literacy.

If you want, I can expand with examples or research findings supporting each point.