Majorities in most countries surveyed say social media is good for democracy
Across 27 countries surveyed, people generally see social media as more of a good thing than a bad thing for democracy.
Numbers, Facts and Trends Shaping Your World
Across 27 countries surveyed, people generally see social media as more of a good thing than a bad thing for democracy.
Across eight countries surveyed in Latin America, Africa and South Asia, a median of 73% of adults say they use WhatsApp and 62% say they use Facebook.
Americans support banning TikTok by a more than two-to-one margin, according to a new Pew Research Center survey.
Most think social media has made it easier to manipulate and divide people, but they also say it informs and raises awareness.
74% of Republicans say social media has been more of a bad thing for U.S. democracy, compared with a smaller majority of Democrats (57%).
People in advanced and emerging economies have mixed feelings about social media’s impact on political life.
Whether in advanced or emerging economies, younger people, those with higher levels of education and those with higher incomes are more likely to be digitally connected.
In preelection tweets about the U.S., lawmakers abroad focused on how the election will affect bilateral ties and trade.
Smartphone users in emerging economies – especially those who use social media – tend to be more exposed to people with different backgrounds and more connected with friends they don’t see in person.
Many who use social media say they regularly see false or misleading content, but also view these platforms as offering new avenues for political engagement.
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ABOUT PEW RESEARCH CENTER Pew Research Center is a nonpartisan fact tank that informs the public about the issues, attitudes and trends shaping the world. It conducts public opinion polling, demographic research, media content analysis and other empirical social science research. Pew Research Center does not take policy positions. It is a subsidiary of The Pew Charitable Trusts.
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