International Journal of

Arts , Humanities & Social Science

ISSN 2693-2547 (Print) , ISSN 2693-2555 (Online)

DOI: 10.56734/ijahss

Digital Democracy Vs. Constitutional Frameworks: Social Media's Impact On Democratic Discourse

Abstract

The rise of social media platforms has fundamentally challenged traditional constitutional frameworks governing democratic discourse. This article examines how digital technologies, particularly social media, create tensions between established constitutional principles and emerging forms of democratic participation. Through analysis of algorithmic content curation, platform governance structures, and the constitutional implications of private speech regulation, this study reveals a fundamental misalignment between 18th-century constitutional frameworks and 21st-century digital democracy. The research demonstrates that social media platforms operate as quasi-governmental actors while remaining largely exempt from constitutional constraints, creating filter bubbles and echo chambers that undermine deliberative democratic theory. The analysis reveals three primary challenges: the privatization of public discourse through platform control, the erosion of democratic deliberation through algorithmic curation, and the constitutional vacuum in regulating digital speech. These findings suggest the need for new constitutional frameworks that can accommodate digital democracy while preserving fundamental democratic values. The article concludes by proposing a framework for "digital constitutionalism" that balances platform innovation with democratic accountability.

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