As a resource for exploring the influences on American values, Opinions Throughout History: Social Media Issues provides an essential and an accessible commentary on the ways in which advances in communication technologies and practices have shaped American opinion and history.

Table of Contents

• Publisher's Note
• Introduction
• Historical Timeline
• The Importance of Social Connection
• 1. The Telephone Revolution: Making Messages Immediate and Personal (1876-1979)
• 2. Radio Brings the World Closer to Home: Is Everybody Happy About It? (1900-Present)
• 3. Propaganda and the Public Welfare: Radio Goes to War (1900-Present)
• 4. Getting to Know People From a Distance: Television and Transparency (1930s-2000s)
• 5. Changing the Face of American Politics: Elections Are Not Just about Issues Anymore (1950s-Present)
• 6. Media in the Public Trust: Corporate Responsibility and Government Regulation (1960s-Present)
• 7. Mass Media and Family Life: The TV Family, Onscreen and Off (1970s-Present)
• 8. Mass Media's Effect on Literacy: Reading, Writing, and the Emergence of “Media Literacy” (1990s-Present)
• Social Media's Early Promise
• 9. The Instant Messaging Revolution: Filling the Digital Written Communication Gap (1960s-Present)
• 10. Bulletin Boards as Online Forums: The First Social Networks (1970s-Present)
• 11. Dating Online: Breaking Barriers and Reinforcing Stereotypes (1960s-Present)
• 12. How Social Media Is Changing the Publishing Industry: Blogs into Books (1990s-Present)
• 13. Video Goes Viral: The Pros and Cons of Making Visual Connections (2000s-Present)
• 14. The Creation of Communities: Why People Join Social Networking Sites (1990s-Present)
• 15. Buying Into Social Media: Where's the Reluctance? (2010s-Present)
• 16. Learning Online: How Social Media Is Shaping Today's Education System (2010s-Present)
• Social Media Challenges Personal & Political Boundaries
• 17. Communities and Social Segmentation: Bubbles and Echo Chambers (2010s-Present)
• 18. The New Approach to Job Search: Is It Fair? (2010s-Present)
• 19. You're Not Alone Anymore: Privacy in the Digital Age (2010s-Present)
• 20. The Growth—and Danger—of Fake News: The Disinformation Deluge (2010s-Present)
• 21. Nowhere to Hide: Bots and Cookies (2010s-Present)
• 22. Voters and Social Media: The Implications for Democracy (2010s-Present)
• The Challenges Escalate
• 23. Cybersecurity: Individual and National Risks (2010s-Present)
• 24. Social Media's Impact on Wellness: A Question of Balance (2010s-Present)
• 25. The Emergence of Anger: Hate Speech (2010s-Present)
• 26. Social Media and Family: Dividing or Uniting? (2010s-Present)
• 27. Social Media's Influence on the Economy: What Works? (2010s-Present)
• 28. Pros and Cons of Media Regulation: A Privacy Bill of Rights? (2010s-Present)
• 29. How Americans View Social Media: An Evolving Story (2010s-Present)
• 30. Conclusion: The Future of the Fifth State
• Appendixes
• Primary & Secondary Sources
• Glossary
• Historical Snapshots
• Bibliography
• About the Author