The use of social media by politicians to communicate directly with voters has transformed public political discourse in ways that carry both genuine democratic promise and serious institutional risk. Both dimensions deserve careful analysis. The benefits of direct political communication through social media are most visible in the increased accessibility and transparency it can provide. When a politician posts their position on a policy issue, responds to constituents' questions, or shares the reasoning behind a decision in their own words, it bypasses the filtering and framing that media intermediaries inevitably apply. This directness can increase voter engagement — particularly among younger citizens who rarely consume traditional news — and make political figures feel more accountable and approachable. For smaller political movements or independent candidates without access to major media coverage, social platforms provide an affordable means of reaching the public that was simply unavailable to previous generations of politicians. The risks, however, are equally significant and have become increasingly well documented. Without the editorial oversight that traditional media applies, politicians can spread misinformation at speed, misrepresent opponents, or inflame public sentiment on sensitive issues without being held to immediate factual account. The algorithmic architecture of social platforms amplifies emotionally provocative content, rewarding political communication that generates outrage rather than careful reasoning. This creates incentives for politicians to communicate in ways that deepen division rather than build shared understanding. Echo chambers — in which users predominantly encounter views that reinforce their existing beliefs — further fragment the shared informational reality that functioning democracy requires. Public discourse suffers when political messaging is optimised for engagement rather than truth. Direct digital communication is neither simply good nor simply harmful — its effects depend on the integrity of the individuals using it and the regulatory framework governing its use. Mandatory factual labelling of political content and platform accountability for demonstrable political disinformation are overdue safeguards.