POLITICAL PARTICIPATION IN THE DIGITAL SPHERE: CONSIDERATIONS ABOUT ELECTORAL REPRESENTATION 060137257

Abstract

The article addresses political participation in the digital sphere, exploring its impact on contemporary society. With 90% of Brazilian households connected to the internet in 2021 and 67% of the global population online, the research analyzes how technology shapes the democratic public sphere. Social networks stand out, influencing the formation of political opinion. Challenges such as instantaneous exchange of information and decentralization of knowledge are discussed, citing authors such as Lyotard. The second part of the work investigates the democratic public sphere on the network, tracing its evolution from its origins in bourgeois society, observed by Jürgen Habermas in distinct times ( in the early 60s and in the current decade). Contemporary challenges, such as the influence of the media, are discussed in light of fake news, highlighting events such as elections. The study explores a critical gap in the understanding and application of digital citizenship practices, indicating media education as a possible solution. Initiatives such as the verification service and Resolution nº 23.714 of 2022 of the Superior Electoral Court during the 2022 elections show efforts to deal with misinformation. And the electoral representation 060137257 was judged by the TSE based on this resolution and based on the current analysis of the virulence of fake news. The need to develop critical reading skills, encourage responsible expression online and encourage active participation in policy formulation is highlighted. This work contributes to understanding the challenges and opportunities of political participation in the digital era, promoting reflections on strategies to strengthen digital citizenship and, by extension, the democratic public sphere in the digital environment.