This article applies a theoretical approach that focuses on the interaction between media, politicians, activists, and citizens to investigate the influence of social media during two recent general elections in Singapore. Taking into account the combination of authoritarian governance and popular elections in this city-state, this article utilizes a mixed methods approach (i.e., a combination of statistics and virtual ethnography) to analyze four aspects of this influence. First, social media are used by the opposition parties because they are the only alternative to use in disseminating information and fostering dialogue. However, the ruling authorities use the same social media to counter the opposition. Second, social media empower the opposition by serving as efficient tools to mobilize, organize, and engage active citizens. However, compared to the traditional grassroots approach, online mobilization is not as effective as expected. Third, social media are able to change the perceptions of ordinary citizens regarding the opinion climate, which could be to either the advantage or the disadvantage of the opposition. Finally, the youngest age group (i.e., 21–30 years) was surveyed in both 2011 and 2015 to investigate their responses to these changes. Because of the complex influence of social media in Singapore, the citizens in this age group are particularly prone to being swing voters.

本文采用一种理论方法，侧重于媒体，政治家，活动家和公民之间的互动，以调查最近两次新加坡大选期间社交媒体的影响。考虑到这个城市国家中威权统治和民众选举的结合，本文采用混合方法（即统计和虚拟人种学的结合）来分析这种影响的四个方面。首先，反对党使用社交媒体，因为它们是传播信息和促进对话的唯一替代方法。但是，统治当局使用相同的社交媒体来对抗反对派。第二，社交媒体通过充当动员，组织和参与积极公民的有效工具，赋予反对派权力。然而，与传统的基层方法相比，在线动员不如预期的有效。第三，社交媒体能够改变普通公民对舆论氛围的看法，这可能是反对派的优势或劣势。最后，在2011年和2015年对最年轻的年龄段（即21-30岁）进行了调查，以调查他们对这些变化的反应。由于新加坡社交媒体的复杂影响，这个年龄段的公民特别容易成为摇摆选民。我们在2011年和2015年对年龄最小的年龄段（即21-30岁）进行了调查，以调查他们对这些变化的反应。由于新加坡社交媒体的复杂影响，这一年龄段的公民特别容易成为摇摆选民。我们在2011年和2015年对年龄最小的年龄段（即21-30岁）进行了调查，以调查他们对这些变化的反应。由于新加坡社交媒体的复杂影响，这个年龄段的公民特别容易成为摇摆选民。