Watch CBS News

Unfriended? Divisive Presidential Campaign Roils Facebook

Follow CBSDFW.COM: Facebook | Twitter

Some friends don't let friends talk politics anymore on Facebook. Others are on "unfriending" sprees or have just shut down their accounts to get a break from the heated political debates.

The giant social network has emerged as a virtual town hall for politics, a popular place to share opinions -- and vitriolic attacks -- about the two polarizing presidential candidates.

Facebook says that from Jan. 1 through Aug. 1, 100 million people in the United States generated 4 billion posts, comments, shares and reactions about the election. More than 1 billion of those came in July, the month of the national conventions.

American University's Scott Talan suggests using civilized tones, posting questions instead of strong statements, taking a breath before commenting, and generally, don't be "like the candidates."

(© Copyright 2016 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)

View CBS News In
CBS News App Open
Chrome Safari Continue
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.