According to a Pew Research Center survey of U.S. adults conducted July 13-19, 2020, nearly two-thirds (64%) of Americans say social media has influenced today’s national climate. Most respondents said that it had a negative impact. Ten Americans say social media sites have a mostly positive impact on how things get done, and a quarter say these platforms have no positive or negative impact. There is.
Those who have a negative view of the impact of social media specifically mention the misinformation, hatred, and harassment they see on social media. There are also concerns that users will believe everything they see or read, or that they may not be sure what to believe. Additionally, they lament social media’s role in fostering partisanship and polarization, the creation of echo chambers, and the perception that these platforms are hostile to President Donald Trump and conservatives.
This is part of a series of posts about Americans’ experiences and attitudes regarding the role of social media in politics today. Pew Research Center conducted this survey to understand how Americans think about the impact of social media on the current state of affairs in the country. To find out, we surveyed 10,211 U.S. adults from July 13 to 19, 2020. All participants are members of the Center’s American Trends Panel (ATP), an online survey panel drawn from a nationwide random sample of residential addresses. In this way, nearly every American adult has the opportunity to choose. The survey is weighted to be representative of the U.S. adult population by gender, race, ethnicity, partisan affiliation, education, and other categories. Learn more about ATP’s methodology here.
Below are the questions, answers, and methodology used in this report.
Public views on the positive and negative effects of social media vary widely depending on political affiliation and ideology. Regardless of political party, a higher percentage of respondents describe the effects of social media as mostly negative rather than mostly positive, but this belief is particularly widespread among Republicans.
About half (53%) of Democrats and independents who lean Democratic say social media has a large negative impact on today’s national situation, compared to 78% of Republicans and Democratic-leaning voters. % said the same. Democrats are about three times as likely as Republicans to say these sites have a mostly positive impact (14% vs. 5%) and say social media has neither a positive nor negative impact. They are twice as likely to respond (32% vs. 16%).
There is no difference in these views among Democrats from an ideological standpoint. However, the Republican Party is somewhat divided by ideology. Conservative Republicans are more likely than moderate-to-liberal Republicans to say social media has had a mostly negative impact (83% vs. 70%). Conversely, moderate-to-liberal Republicans are more likely than conservative Republicans to say social media has a mostly positive impact (8% vs. 4%) or neutral (21% vs. 13%). likely to respond.
Young adults are more likely to say social media has the following problems: positive They are less likely than older Americans to believe that social media sites have a negative impact. For example, 15% of 18 to 29-year-olds say social media has had a mostly positive impact on the state of the country today, while only 15% of over-30s say the same. Only 8%. Americans between the ages of 18 and 29 are also less likely than those over the age of 30 to say social media has a primarily negative impact on them (54% vs. 67%).
But young people’s opinions vary widely by party. For example, 43% of Democrats between the ages of 18 and 29 say social media has a mostly negative impact on how things get done, compared to about a quarter of Republicans in the same age group. 3 (76%) said yes. Additionally, these youngest Democrats are more likely than Republicans to say that social media platforms have either a mostly positive impact on the status quo (20% vs. 6%) or both positive and negative impacts. more likely to say no (35% vs. 18%). I’m going to the countryside today. This partisan divide persists among her over-30s, but most gaps are smaller than those seen among younger people.
Views on the negative effects of social media differ slightly between social media users (63%) and non-users (69%), with non-users slightly more likely to say these sites have a negative impact. will be higher. However, among social media users, more people say that some or much of what they see on social media is related to politics, and more people say that none of what they see on social media is related to politics. are more likely to think that what they see on social media is politically related. Media platforms have a mostly negative impact on the state of the country today (65% vs. 50%).
Previous Pew Research Center research has focused attention on Americans’ complex relationship with social media. A 2019 center survey found that 72% of U.S. adults reported using at least one social media site. These platforms have been used for political and social activism and participation, but they have also raised concerns among some people. Some believe political advertising on these sites is unacceptable, and many object to the way social media platforms are being weaponized to spread fabricated news and cause online harassment. At the same time, some users believe that what they see on social media has changed their views on political or social issues. And a growing percentage of Americans using these sites report feeling exhausted by political posts and discussions on social media.
Those who argue that social media is having a negative impact cite concerns about misinformation, hate, and censorship.Those who felt a positive impact said they were informed.
When asked to elaborate on the main reasons why they believe social media has had a mostly negative impact on the state of our country today, nearly three in ten (28%) respondents believed that they were being misinformed. spread and fabricated news. Smaller businesses cited examples of hate, harassment, conflict and extremism as main reasons (16%), and 11% cited a perceived lack of critical thinking skills among many users. It notes that many people use these sites and is concerned that people who use these sites believe everything they see or read. Or you don’t know what to believe.
Some adults often mention the spread, velocity, and amount of misinformation available on these platforms in written responses that mention misinformation and fabricated news. (Answers have been lightly edited for spelling, style, and readability.) For example:
“They allow misinformation to spread.” – Male, 36 years old
“False information spreads at lightning speed, and false information never seems to go away.” – Female, 71 years old
“Social media is rife with misinformation about both the coronavirus and political and social issues, but social media organizations are not doing enough to combat this.” – Female, 26 age
“There is too much misinformation and lies being promoted from unsubstantiated sources, leading people to ignore information from vetted experts.” – Female, 64 years old
With people’s reactions centered around hatred, harassment, conflict, and extremism in one way or another, social media can contribute to online disrespect coupled with anonymity, the spread of hateful ideas and conspiracies, or the incitement of violence. Concerns are often mentioned that
“With a sense of anonymity, people say inflammatory, stupid, and thoughtless things online that they would never say to others directly.” – Male, 53 years old
“It promotes hatred, extreme views and, in some cases, violence.” – Male, 69 years old
“People don’t respect other people’s opinions. They take it personally and try to fight other groups. Instead of worrying that someone will try to hurt you or your family, I can’t share my thoughts on controversial topics.” – Female, 65 years old
“Social media is a place where people go to say the most hateful things imaginable.” – Male, 46 years old
Roughly one in ten respondents talked about how people who use social media can be easily confused, believing everything they see or read, or not knowing what to believe.
“People believe everything they see and don’t verify its accuracy.” – Male, 75 years old
“Many people cannot distinguish between real and fake news and information and share it without proper research…” – Male, 32 years old
“I don’t know what is fake or real.” – Male, 49 years old
“It’s hard to tell the truth.” – Female, 80 years old
“People are unable to distinguish between fact and opinion and are unable to critically evaluate sources of information. They tend to believe everything they read, and when they see contradictory information (especially propaganda) He seems closed off and doesn’t trust any information.” – Male, 42 years old
Smaller stocks say their platforms censor content or allow content that is biased (9%), too negative (7%), or too partisan or divisive (6%). expressing dissatisfaction.
“Social media censors opinions that differ from our own. There is no freedom of speech anymore.” – Female, 42 years old
“It creates more of a divide between people with different perspectives.” – Male, 37 years old
“The focus is on encouraging negative attitudes and angry behavior rather than helping people and doing something to make the world a better place.” – Female, 66 years old
Far fewer Americans, 10%, say they believe social media has had a mostly positive impact on the state of the country today. When we asked people with these positive opinions about the main reasons why they thought so, a quarter said these sites help people stay informed and aware (25%) , about 1 in 10 said it enables communication, connection, and community. -Buildings (12%).
“We can now know what is happening around the world thanks to social media.” – Female, 28 years old
“This brings awareness to important issues that affect all Americans.” – Male, 60 years old
“It brings people together. You see there are others who share the same/similar experience, which is so important especially when so many of us are isolated.” –Female, 36 years old
“I help people stay connected and share their experiences. I also get advice and recommendations through social media.” – Male, 32 years old
“Social media keeps people connected who might otherwise feel isolated…” – Male, 65 years old
Small stocks promote social media as a place for marginalized people and groups to have a voice (8%) and as a space for activism and social movements (7%).
“Spread the word of action and information and encourage participation in Black Lives Matter.” – Female, 31 years old
“It gives average people a chance to express and share their opinions.” – Male, 67 years old
“Visibility – it democratized access and gave a platform to the voices of those who have been oppressed.” – Female, 27 years old
Note: This is part of a series of blog posts leading up to the 2020 presidential election that explores the role of social media in today’s politics. Below are the questions, answers, and methodology used in this report.
Other posts in this series:
Brooke Auxier is a former research fellow specializing in internet and technology at Pew Research Center.