Welcome to what I’ve decided to call “The Facebook Bubble.” If you live in Watertown, you’ve probably noticed it – our city leaders, political hopefuls, and even some of the old-school local media seem to think Facebook is the only thing that exists. If it’s not on Facebook, they act like it didn’t happen. But here’s the thing: that mindset is not only outdated, it’s dangerous for democracy – and it’s already reshaping local politics in all the wrong ways.
By The Watertown Post
Welcome to what I’ve decided to call “The Facebook Bubble.” If you live in Watertown, you’ve probably noticed it – our city leaders, political hopefuls, and even some of the old-school local media seem to think Facebook is the only thing that exists. If it’s not on Facebook, they act like it didn’t happen.
But here’s the thing: that mindset is not only outdated, it’s dangerous for democracy – and it’s already reshaping local politics in all the wrong ways.
A City That Thinks Facebook IS the Internet
Ask around, and you’ll hear the same story: people genuinely believe that if you’re not active on Facebook, you don’t matter. Even the Watertown Post – which has its own actual website with consistent traffic every single day – is often mistaken for “just another Facebook page.” People ask why they “never see us on Facebook,” as if that’s the only valid measure of reach or credibility.
And our city leaders? Many are stuck in the same bubble. They gauge public opinion by scrolling their newsfeed instead of talking to people in real life, attending community events, or – heaven forbid – reading news sources outside Facebook.
No Republicans on the Primary Ticket – And Facebook Is a Big Reason Why
Look no further than the recent city council primary. Not a single Republican candidate made it onto the ticket. That’s not because Republicans don’t exist in Watertown – it’s because in the Facebook Bubble, you can win popularity points by being loud online, not by doing the hard work of campaigning offline.
The reality is that a lot of conservative and independent voters aren’t glued to Facebook 24/7. Many don’t bother with the local Facebook groups at all. So when candidates and party officials focus all their energy on winning Facebook arguments instead of knocking on doors, holding town halls, or connecting through other media, they lose touch with entire chunks of the voting public.
Why It Matters
When our leaders live inside this bubble, they only hear from the same few hundred loud voices who dominate the local Facebook groups. That’s not democracy – that’s an echo chamber. And as long as candidates, reporters, and city officials keep acting like Facebook is the only game in town, we’ll keep getting elections and policies shaped by the same narrow slice of the community.
The Watertown Post will keep doing what it has always done: delivering real stories to real people, whether they’re on Facebook or not. Because the internet is a lot bigger than one social media site – even if some in power still can’t see past their own newsfeed.
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