INFLUENCE OF THE INTERNET ON PUBLIC OPINION

Abstract

In today’s conditions, the Internet is increasingly used to carry out diverse information influences. The global network provides ample opportunities for shaping public opinion, making community aware of political, economic and military decisions, influencing information resources of unfriendly countries and disseminating specially prepared information, including distorted one.

Mass media are also increasingly moving to the Internet, creating their own websites and posting information there. Some mass media have already ceased to be published in printed form, and exit only in electronic form. Also the service of social networks is spreading faster and faster.

The article considers the possibilities of the Internet and its growing influence on users, which contribute to the formation of a new digital public environment that allows society to control the government, express their opinions online on the most important issues through new digital communication channels and, accordingly, significantly influence social and political processes in the country.

At the same time, the Internet makes it possible to receive feedback from users. All this led to the fact that the Internet has taken a leading position and is chosen as a tool for information campaigns.

Along with the advantages of using the Internet for information and psychological impact, its shortcomings are analyzed. The place and influence of the Internet on public consciousness are studied. The essence, forms and methods of destructive information influences in social networks are revealed. The level of challenges and threats in the context of information security of a person, society and the state is determined.

Key words: means of communication, information processing, manipulative influence, social thinking, social networks, propaganda, and technical capabilities.