The rise of social media has given more people more ways to learn about important issues and has given them a voice in political campaigns. Another school of thought thinks that it undermines democratic principles.
As social media use grows worldwide, individuals in 27 nations questioned by Pew Research Center between 2022 and 2023 perceive it as favorable for democracy. In 20 of these countries, majorities feel social media has boosted democracy.
Emerging economies are most likely to claim social media has improved democracy. Nigeria and Mexico are especially optimistic, with 77% each saying social media has improved democracy.
People are less sure in the Netherlands and France, where more feel social media has hurt democracy than helped it. French President Emmanuel Macron wants social media regulation to stop
misinformation. He suggested cutting social media access during societal upheaval, including French police violence riots, in 2023.
Meanwhile, Americans are the least positive about social media. Only 34% of U.S. adults feel social media has helped democracy, while 64% say it has hurt it.
Before important U.S. elections, social media's misinformation role was heavily discussed. Republicans and Republican-leaning independents are more likely than Democrats and Democratic leaners to say social media hurts democracy (74% vs. 57%).
Younger persons are more likely than older adults to claim social media has helped democracy in 14 countries.
In 13 countries, more educated adults feel social media has helped democracy. This question differs 22 percentage points between educated and uneducated South Africans.
In several nations, higher-income adults are more inclined to claim social media helps democracy. The opposite is true in Belgium and the U.S.
Social media users like its impact on democracy more than non-users in Poland, South Africa, Australia, Japan, and elsewhere. Social media users are 10 times more likely than non-users to take this position in every country surveyed.
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