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How Political Should You Get on Social Media?

As the Nov. 6 election nears, political discussion is getting heated. How much do you share of your political opinions with your Facebook friends?

Maybe you're a die-hard Democrat, and you think Barack Obama wiped the floor with Mitt Romney in the presidential debates. Or maybe you're a staunch Republican, you believe Mitt Romney was on top of his game.

Do you share these opinions with your friends on Facebook and Twitter?

Maybe you shouldn't, suggests a recent article on Boston.com. People of all political leanings told the Globe they're learning too much about their friends' and relatives' attitudes.

A February study by the Pew Research Center’s Internet & American Life Project provided the data for the article.

The study found that 18 percent of social media users have blocked, unfriended or hidden someone because of political differences or a distaste for the sheer volume of the friends’ political posts. It also found that 38 percent of social media users discovered that their friends' political leanings are different than originally thought.

"A lot of people are stupider than I thought they were," Boston-area resident John Clarke, a self-described fiscal conservative and social liberal, told the Globe. "That includes relatives and close friends."

The Pew study surveyed 2,253 adults via phone. None of the questions specified a social networking platform.

Philip Clark October 23, 2012 at 04:52 pm
Well, it is one sure way to weed out the idiots. :-P
Madeline Sharples October 24, 2012 at 04:13 pm
My thoughts, exactly. I steer away from politics on social media entirely. Instead I donate to my candidates of choice - that's a very personal way to express my politics.

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Just a short thought to get the word out quickly about anything in your neighborhood.
Share something with your neighbors. Write a new post... What's up? Make an announcement, speak your mind, or sell something
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Nicole Mooradian (Editor) June 13, 2013 at 12:00 pm
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BG Stine June 11, 2013 at 01:48 pm
I re-read this twice. I'm still trying to figure out the relevance - California Hispanic ChambersRead More Of Commerce Set To Convene - to people in Redondo Beach?
HalldinPR June 11, 2013 at 02:11 pm
This is a state-wide event. It is open to business owners state-wide. California Hispanic ChambersRead More represents the entire state, not just Northern California!
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Great Grandma & Grandpa Forbess June 11, 2013 at 02:16 pm
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Sheila Kutkus June 8, 2013 at 10:04 pm
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beachmartica June 14, 2013 at 08:01 am
Parras Middle Schol!