Social Media Harms Democracy By Spreading Rumors, Survey Shows

A recent Pew Research Center survey reveals that an increasing number of people believe social media manipulates and divides individuals, ultimately harming democracy, according to a Reuters report. This sentiment aligns with the growing global concern over social platforms and the tight scrutiny being placed on them. Companies like Meta, Snap, and TikTok have faced numerous lawsuits and paid substantial settlements due to alleged user harm. Governments worldwide have struggled to find effective methods to safeguard citizens' privacy.

In Australia, for instance, 82% of adult respondents support the government's decision to restrict social media access for individuals under 16 years old. While a majority of respondents acknowledge that social media informs people and provides a voice in politics, there has been a notable rise in the perception of social media as a negative influence since 2022.

Wealthier nations, including the United States, Canada, and the UK, are more likely to agree that social media is detrimental to democracy compared to countries with lower GDP per capita, such as Ghana, Kenya, and Nigeria.

The United States stands out as the most skeptical, with 64% of adult respondents asserting that social media harms democracy. This belief has grown in 16 out of the 26 countries where previous data was available. Pew Research conducted the survey by questioning over 45,000 individuals across 37 countries, along with an additional 5,511 US adults focusing specifically on social media usage in America.