Shares who see social media as a bad thing for democracy have grown over the last few years
% who say social media has been more of a __ for democracy in their country
* This question was first asked in Indonesia in 2023.
Note: Those who did not answer are not shown. Includes surveyed countries with the 12 largest statistically significant changes in the share who say ‘Bad thing’ since last asked. Over time, we have changed how we conduct surveys (by phone or face-to-face) in Hungary and Poland. Refer to topline for more information.
Note: Those who did not answer are not shown. Includes surveyed countries with the 12 largest statistically significant changes in the share who say ‘Bad thing’ since last asked. Over time, we have changed how we conduct surveys (by phone or face-to-face) in Hungary and Poland. Refer to topline for more information.
Source: Spring 2026 Global Attitudes Survey.
“Across the Globe, People Increasingly Say Social Media Is Harming Democracy”
“Across the Globe, People Increasingly Say Social Media Is Harming Democracy”
PEW RESEARCH CENTER
Shares who see social media as a bad thing for democracy have grown over the last few years
% who say social media has been more of a __ for democracy in their country
| Country | Date | Good thing | Bad thing |
|---|---|---|---|
| Germany | 2026 | 37 | 61 |
| Germany | 2022 | 57 | 41 |
| Japan | 2026 | 48 | 43 |
| Japan | 2022 | 57 | 23 |
| Hungary | 2026 | 49 | 42 |
| Hungary | 2022 | 65 | 22 |
| Poland | 2026 | 55 | 35 |
| Poland | 2022 | 67 | 15 |
| Indonesia | 2026 | 55 | 43 |
| Indonesia | 2023 | 64 | 24 |
| Netherlands | 2026 | 27 | 70 |
| Netherlands | 2022 | 44 | 54 |
| Sweden | 2026 | 49 | 47 |
| Sweden | 2022 | 66 | 32 |
| France | 2026 | 31 | 65 |
| France | 2022 | 43 | 51 |
| Spain | 2026 | 49 | 47 |
| Spain | 2022 | 61 | 35 |
| U.K. | 2026 | 41 | 56 |
| U.K. | 2022 | 50 | 48 |
| Canada | 2026 | 40 | 55 |
| Canada | 2022 | 49 | 47 |
| Greece | 2026 | 53 | 43 |
| Greece | 2022 | 62 | 35 |
* This question was first asked in Indonesia in 2023.
Note: Those who did not answer are not shown. Includes surveyed countries with the 12 largest statistically significant changes in the share who say ‘Bad thing’ since last asked. Over time, we have changed how we conduct surveys (by phone or face-to-face) in Hungary and Poland. Refer to topline for more information.
Note: Those who did not answer are not shown. Includes surveyed countries with the 12 largest statistically significant changes in the share who say ‘Bad thing’ since last asked. Over time, we have changed how we conduct surveys (by phone or face-to-face) in Hungary and Poland. Refer to topline for more information.
Source: Spring 2026 Global Attitudes Survey.
“Across the Globe, People Increasingly Say Social Media Is Harming Democracy”
“Across the Globe, People Increasingly Say Social Media Is Harming Democracy”
PEW RESEARCH CENTER
