---
title: "Publics in Emerging Economies Worry Social Media Sow Division, Even as They Offer New Chances for Political Engagement"
description: "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."
date: "2019-05-13"
authors:
  - name: "Aaron Smith"
    job_title: "Director, Data Labs"
    link: "https://www.pewresearch.org/staff/aaron-smith/"
  - name: "Laura Silver"
    job_title: "Associate Director, Global Attitudes Research"
    link: "https://www.pewresearch.org/staff/laura-silver/"
  - name: "Courtney Johnson"
    job_title: "Former Research Associate"
    link: "https://www.pewresearch.org/staff/courtney-johnson/"
  - name: "Jingjing Jiang"
    job_title: "Former Research Analyst"
    link: "https://www.pewresearch.org/staff/jingjing-jiang/"
url: "https://www.pewresearch.org/global/2019/05/13/publics-in-emerging-economies-worry-social-media-sow-division-even-as-they-offer-new-chances-for-political-engagement/"
---

# Publics in Emerging Economies Worry Social Media Sow Division, Even as They Offer New Chances for Political Engagement