Most Americans say social media companies have too much power, influence in politics
Roughly half of Americans think social media companies should be regulated more than they are now, our survey found.
Numbers, Facts and Trends Shaping Your World
Roughly half of Americans think social media companies should be regulated more than they are now, our survey found.
Amid the back-and-forth between Twitter and President Trump, here are facts about Americans’ attitudes toward social media companies.
Just one-in-ten Americans say social media sites have a mostly positive effect on the way things are going in the U.S. today.
Majorities of adults say they would be open to participating in some parts of the process of identifying and isolating coronavirus victims, but others are reluctant to engage fully with public health authorities.
Some 44% of liberal Democrats say they have used social media in the past year to encourage others to take action on an issue that was important to them. A similar share (43%) have taken part in a group that shares their interest in a cause.
Twitter users are younger, more likely to identify as Democrats, more highly educated and have higher incomes than U.S. adults overall.
About half of Facebook users say they are not comfortable when they see how the platform categorizes them, and 27% maintain the site’s classifications do not accurately represent them.
A majority of Republicans say technology firms support the views of liberals over conservatives and that social media platforms censor political viewpoints. Still, Americans tend to feel that these firms benefit them and – to a lesser degree – society.
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.
A plurality of experts think sweeping societal change will make life worse for most people. Still, a portion believe things will be better in a ‘tele-everything’ world.
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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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