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

Correct answers: 1 (true), 2 (true), 3 (false), 4 (true).

Brief explanations:
- More volatile: true — interactions can escalate quickly, go viral, and provoke rapid public backlash or swings in opinion because of real‑time sharing and amplification.
- More structured: true — platforms, algorithms and features (hashtags, character limits, comment threads, targeted ads) shape how politicians frame messages and how citizens respond, creating new routines and formats for engagement.
- Increased formality: false — overall interactions have tended to become less formal and more personal/performative (direct replies, emojis, livestreams) rather than more formal.
- Required citizens to be proactive: true — digital engagement often rewards active participation (posting, sharing, signing e‑petitions, joining online campaigns) if citizens want to be heard or mobilize others.