Interesting article on the effect of social media

A recent newspaper article asks if this will be the first TikTok election?

Some suggested questions

1. Why did Mike Harris suggest holding an election in November rather than October or December?
2. How has digital media become a vital part of the campaign for both Labour and the Conservatives in the 2024 general election?
3. What platforms have the parties focused on for their digital campaigning efforts, and how do they engage with supporters through these platforms?
4. Why is TikTok considered important for political campaigns, especially for smaller parties with low budgets?
5. According to Phil Carr, what strategies has Labour employed on TikTok that have been effective compared to the Conservatives?
6. What criticisms have some creators and specialists raised about Labour's approach to meme content on TikTok?
7. Is TikTok seen as a significant platform for political engagement, or is it viewed more as a distraction by some critics?

Correct answers
1. Mike Harris suggested holding an election in November because digital advertising is more expensive in October and November due to the saturation of ads for Christmas and Black Friday.
2. Digital media has become crucial for the campaign of both Labour and the Conservatives in the 2024 general election, with a focus on platforms like Facebook, YouTube, Instagram, emails, text messages, and WhatsApp groups.
3. The parties have primarily focused on Facebook, YouTube, Instagram, sending emails and texts to supporters, updating websites, and using WhatsApp groups to engage with supporters.
4. TikTok is considered important for political campaigns, especially for smaller parties with low budgets, because it offers opportunities for views, engagement, and reaching new audiences organically without paid advertising.
5. According to Phil Carr, Labour has effectively used a combination of funny memes, well-produced key messaging, and clips of successful media appearances on TikTok, drawing inspiration from popular formats and sounds familiar to TikTokers.
6. Some creators and specialists have criticized Labour's approach to meme content on TikTok, suggesting that clear and concise messaging would drive more meaningful engagement than lighthearted jokes on serious topics.
7. While some view TikTok as a significant platform for political engagement, others see it as a potential distraction, raising questions about its impact on voter turnout and the effectiveness of meme culture in conveying political messages.

Some ideas for student engagement

Divide the class into two groups and assign each group to represent either the Labour Party or the Conservative Party. Instruct them to brainstorm and discuss the key digital campaigning strategies they would employ for the upcoming election, including the use of social media platforms such as TikTok. Ask them to present their ideas to the class.

Provide your students with a selection of political memes or TikTok videos from the current campaign and ask them to analyse the effectiveness of the messaging and the overall tone. Encourage them to consider how the content might resonate with different segments of the electorate, particularly younger voters.