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SOUND OFF: How Political Should You Get With Facebook Friends?

As the Nov. 6 election nears, political discussion is getting heated. How much do you share of your political opinions with your Facebook friends?

 

Maybe you're a die-hard Democrat, and you think Barack Obama wiped the floor with Mitt Romney in the presidential debate Tuesday.

Or maybe you're a staunch Republican, you believe Mitt Romney was on top of his game.

Do you share these opinions with your Facebook friends?

Maybe you shouldn't, suggests a recent article on Boston.com. People of all political leanings told the Globe they're learning too much about their friends' and relatives' attitudes.

The article is informed by data from the Pew Research Center’s Internet & American Life Project.

The study found that 18 percent of Facebook users have blocked, unfriended, or hidden a friend because of political differences or a distaste for the sheer volume of the friends’ political posts.

Where do you stand on sharing your political or personal beliefs on Twitter or Facebook? How much is too much? Tell us in the comments.

Related Topics: Facebook, Twitter, and election 2012

Renee Cwiek

8:49 am on Friday, October 19, 2012

I think friends should be able to have a respectful conversation and accept each other's difference of opinion. I have several close FB friends that have a different opinion than me. I'm certainly not going to stop being their friend because we don't agree. Seems silly to lose friendships over politics.

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Annette Foltz

11:11 am on Friday, October 19, 2012

Very little. If I am asked a question, I try to answer fairly.

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Jim L

11:11 am on Friday, October 19, 2012

I agree Renee, myself and me closest neighbors don't talk politics haven't for years, we basicly know where we stand, I will say this years that a SHORT discussion was about How Bad Cicille would be for all of RI,

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Dale Elizabeth Merriman

11:11 am on Friday, October 19, 2012

The same is true here in New York. People respect each others' opinions and yet can be very strong in their opinions regarding politics. I do have a problem with people who distort a politician's name or become insulting but it is rare. I have been invited to debate watching parties by my friends who support the opposite candidate / party. I love Fb and recently someone chastised me about how frequently I participate in it. What that person may not realize is that all our governments services, charities, churches, retailers, and NYC VIPs have Facebook pages so if you want to go to the most current info and achieve close contact with the people who admin these pages, the vehicle is Facebook and is great! You can post and they will note your request, idea or supportive comment.

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