Literature Review

• J. Baumgartner & J. Morris (2010) state in their study “MyFaceTube Politics” that the “media habits of the youth are…different from those of older citizens” and state it is the Internet which has come to dominate youth life. 
• In one form or another, the Internet and social-networking sites all dominate youth life. 
• S. Robertson, et al. (2010) “the Internet has clearly taken a significant new position in politics” after the 2008 election, citing then-Senator Obama’s use of  Facebook as a defining factor in his decisive victory. 
• Now, instead of reaching for the newspaper or turning on the radio, over 40% of individuals now use social media sites such as Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube “to engage in some political activity…” (W. Zhang, et al [2010]).
• Woolley, et al. (2010) state the foundations for my study perfectly when they say “the 2008 presidential election highlighted [Facebook] as a viable tool for political communication…” 
• Social media sites, particularly Facebook, have become the backbone of political communication because of the easy access. 
• In social media sites there is immense “possibility” for reciprocal communication, also according to Fernandes, et al (2010), as long as both parties are willing to participate in an open discussion. 
• Politicians need to be online which is why they have “populated these social sites…and utilize many of their tools for collecting funds, disseminating messages, creating groups, and initiating collective activities” (S. Robertson et al. [2010]). 
• Political discourse has moved online. 
• However, according to Metzgar & Maruggi (2010), “there is little evidence any…social media…venues drove discussion, participation, or outcomes” and are no replacement for personal motivation.