Growing shares across countries say the internet and social media have made people more divided
% who say access to the internet and social media has made people __ in their political opinions
Note: Only countries with statistically significant changes are shown. Those who said ‘Has not had much impact either way’ or did not answer are not shown. 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
Growing shares across countries say the internet and social media have made people more divided
% who say access to the internet and social media has made people __ in their political opinions
| Country | Year | More divided | Less divided |
|---|---|---|---|
| Poland | 2026 | 79 | 3 |
| Poland | 2022 | 50 | 9 |
| Germany | 2026 | 82 | 6 |
| Germany | 2022 | 65 | 12 |
| France | 2026 | 69 | 10 |
| France | 2022 | 52 | 10 |
| Japan | 2026 | 64 | 2 |
| Japan | 2022 | 47 | 4 |
| Spain | 2026 | 80 | 3 |
| Spain | 2022 | 66 | 5 |
| U.K. | 2026 | 79 | 4 |
| U.K. | 2022 | 66 | 4 |
| Hungary | 2026 | 79 | 10 |
| Hungary | 2022 | 67 | 13 |
| Malaysia | 2026 | 53 | 25 |
| Malaysia | 2022 | 43 | 32 |
| Singapore | 2026 | 60 | 13 |
| Singapore | 2022 | 51 | 23 |
| Australia | 2026 | 79 | 5 |
| Australia | 2022 | 71 | 6 |
| Sweden | 2026 | 72 | 5 |
| Sweden | 2022 | 65 | 3 |
Note: Only countries with statistically significant changes are shown. Those who said ‘Has not had much impact either way’ or did not answer are not shown. 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
