Final answer:
The impact of new media on political socialization has been significant. It has changed the relationship between communication and politics, allowed politicians to directly reach the public, and increased political engagement through social media.
Step-by-step explanation:
The impact of new media, including cable news, blogs, and talk radio, on political socialization has been significant. These forms of media have changed the relationship between communication and politics, providing citizens with a wide variety of sources for instant news and information. They have also allowed politicians, political parties, and interest groups to bypass traditional media and directly reach the public.
With the rise of the Internet and social media, traditional media have become less powerful agents of socialization. Citizens now have more choices for finding information about the world than ever before. However, the proliferation of competing information sources like blogs and social media may also weaken the power of traditional media.
Furthermore, social media platforms have played a significant role in political engagement and participation. They have increased people's sense of political agency and have been correlated with participation in civil and political life. However, it is important to note that the use of social media does not lead to political participation, but the two activities appear to be related.