Unraveling Social Media’s Issues on Public Opinion and Activism: A Thematic Review

In the age of widespread connectivity, social media has emerged as a dynamic platform shaping public opinion and activism globally. This chapter aims to systematically review literature spanning 2013–2022, aiming to uncover prevalent social media issues influencing public opinion and activism. The objective is to discern the pivotal themes that have driven discourse, comprehend the implications, and suggest future directions for research. This research employs a thematic review approach, using research databases like Scopus and Mendeley to collect articles, resulting in a pool of 92 publications. After applying selection criteria, 30 papers form the basis of analysis. The Atlas.ti tool aids thematic analysis, enabling the identification of key patterns and categories that address the research question. Five dominant themes emerge ranging from the democratizing potential of digital literacy to the challenges stemming from misinformation, and from the role of policy in shaping public sentiment to the interplay of political viewpoints with user engagement, each theme contributes to a nuanced comprehension of the field. This research recommends future research exploring cross-cultural variations, algorithmic biases, and ethical considerations. Utilizing visual aids, such as images illustrating false information dissemination and user engagement dynamics, could enhance understanding of the challenges and potential of social media in shaping the modern socio-political landscape.