Navigating Constitutionalism in the Age of Social Media

Internet and social media are characterizing features of present age wherein it is the aim of most of the countries to practice democracy and constitutionalism. Social media had begun its journey as a facilitator of constitutionalism by expanding the reach of civil and political rights to maximum number of people but it soon started degenerating into a menace. Social media has a mixed relationship with constitutionalism. It is vital for nations and the access to social media cannot be denied to people in today’s time. But the very same agent of constitutionalism is making it an arduous task for governments to ensure same rights to every citizen. It helps in keeping a check on the government but has erased all the limits which should be applicable on citizens as their duties. Constitutional principles and objectives have been under a strain in the age of social media as it threatens the moral and constitutional boundaries of the society. Thus, in the given context, this paper aims to throw light on how social media plays a dual role: a threat and facilitator to constitutionalism at the same time. The research would make an analysis with a perception to uphold constitutionalism within the parameters of social media. There will also be an attempt to suggest some remedies to minimize the shortcomings of social media platforms.