This 2022 Pew Research Center report draws on data collected from 20,944 adults across nineteen advanced democracies. The survey assessed the respondents’ view on their democracy and how social media has affected political and social discourse. The results are analyzed at both a global and national level.
A global median of those surveyed believe that social media has a net positive impact on democracy. But the United States is an outlier. While a global median of 57% say social media has had a positive impact on their democracy, that figure falls to just 34% in the United States. Similarly, larger shares of Americans view social media as divisive. However, there was global agreement that, regardless of its net effect, social media can lead to division with in societies. A global median of 84% believe access to the internet and social media have made people easier to manipulate with false information and rumors. Despite the wide agreement that social media can affect political discourse, the survey found the vast majority of respondents do not post about social or political issues online. For example, in the United States, only 18% said they “sometimes” post about political or social issues online, and 5% said they post “often.” In contrast, 76% of Americans surveyed said they post “rarely” or “never” about political or social issues. Those who post about these issues are more likely to be dissatisfied with the current state of democracy and see social media as good for democracy.