Social Networks as Catalysts of Democratic Processes in Society

B. Ivanytska, K. Balabanova

Abstract


The purpose of the study is to conduct a detailed scientific and practical substantiation of the features of social networks as catalysts for democratic processes in society due to modern conditions in the framework of globalization processes.

Research methodology. The study used general scientific (generalization, comparison, induction and deduction) and empirical-theoretical methods (analysis, synthesis). The use of system-structural and statistical analysis made it possible to differentiate the main ratings of social network platforms, the number of social network users for the period 2012–2022 and the penetration of social networks by region in January 2022. Based on the survey, it was determined which social network citizens of Ukraine use to receive news.

Results. It is determined that social networks are becoming a global phenomenon of communication and are developing independently and in an extremely dynamic environment of new innovative technologies. It is established that social networks are a segment of communication and socialization, which influences the formation of new social structures. It is determined that social networks are part of the public discourse, which allows to directly and publicly respond to political processes in society, which opens the possibility of political influence. The analysis found that the use of social networks is far from evenly distributed around the world, and the total number of social network users around the world has almost doubled from 1.48 billion in 2012 to 4.62 billion in 2022.

Novelty. The scientific novelty of the results obtained in the article is due to the solution of an important scientific problem, which is to develop theoretical principles and practical recommendations for analyzing the features of social networks as catalysts for democratic processes in society. The article further develops the study on the main indicators of the spread of social networks in the global and national dimensions.

Practical significance. The results of the study can be used in the study of the scientific field of «Social Communications». The results can be directed to further research of social networks as catalysts of democratic processes in society.

Key words: social networks, catalysts, democratic processes, society.


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DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.32840/cpu2219-8741/2022.1(49).10

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