Fast facts about Americans’ views of social media companies as Trump-Twitter dispute grows
Amid the back-and-forth between Twitter and President Trump, here are facts about Americans’ attitudes toward social media companies.
Numbers, Facts and Trends Shaping Your World
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.
An estimated two-thirds of tweeted links to popular websites are posted by automated accounts – not human beings.
Exposure to a range of new ideas and viewpoints that many social media users encounter can occasionally cause people to change their minds about political issues or candidates.
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