Archive · 4 Oct 2026
Survey Finds More People Say Social Media Harms Democracy
Pew Research Center asked people in many countries what they think about social media.
Many said it can help people learn things and speak up about politics.
But more people than in 2022 also said social media is a bad thing.
Some worry that it spreads rumors, divides people, and hurts democracy.
In the United States, 64% of adults surveyed said social media harms democracy.
People in wealthier countries were more likely to say this than people in some lower-income countries.
In Australia, 82% of adults supported restricting social media access for children.
The survey included more than 45,000 people across 37 countries, plus another 5,511 adults in the United States.
Pew Research Center reported growing concern that social media manipulates and divides people and harms democracy.
A majority of respondents said social media informs people and gives them a voice in politics, but more now view it as a bad thing than in 2022.
In the United States, 64% of adults surveyed said social media harms democracy.
The share viewing social media as bad for democracy rose in 16 of 26 countries with older data available.
Pew surveyed more than 45,000 people in 37 countries and an additional 5,511 U.S. adults.
- Who
- Pew Research Center surveyed adults in 37 countries and separately polled U.S. adults.
- What
- The survey found growing concern that social media harms democracy, alongside recognition that it informs people and gives them a political voice.
- When
- Pew Research Center released the findings on Thursday; the report compared some results with 2022.
- Where
- 37 countries, with an additional poll of U.S. adults.
- Why
- The survey examined public views about social media's effects on democracy and society.
Benefits of social media
Concerns about social media
Information and political participation
Benefits of social media
A majority of respondents said social media informs people and gives them a voice in politics.
Concerns about social media
More respondents now see social media as a bad thing than in 2022.
Effects on democracy
Benefits of social media
Some respondents recognize social media's role in informing people and enabling political expression.
Concerns about social media
Many respondents believe social media manipulates and divides people and harms democracy; 64% of U.S. adults surveyed said it harms democracy.
- Survey size
- More than 45,000 people in 37 countries
- Additional U.S. poll
- 5,511 U.S. adults
- U.S. view
- 64% said social media harms democracy
- Countries with rising concern
- The share viewing social media as bad for democracy increased in 16 of 26 countries with older data available.
- Australian support
- 82% of Australian adults supported restricting children's access to social media.
- Perceived benefits
- A majority said social media informs people and gives them a voice in politics.