Podcast
Questions and Answers
According to the Pew Research Center survey, what percentage of U.S. adults believe that social media has been good for democracy?
According to the Pew Research Center survey, what percentage of U.S. adults believe that social media has been good for democracy?
What is the median percentage across the countries polled who believe that social media has been more of a good thing for their democracy?
What is the median percentage across the countries polled who believe that social media has been more of a good thing for their democracy?
What does the text state about the impact of social media on the declining health of democracy in nations around the world?
What does the text state about the impact of social media on the declining health of democracy in nations around the world?
What percentage of U.S. adults believe that social media has had a bad impact on democracy?
What percentage of U.S. adults believe that social media has had a bad impact on democracy?
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What is the general perception of ordinary citizens regarding the impact of social media on political life?
What is the general perception of ordinary citizens regarding the impact of social media on political life?
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What percentage of Americans believe that social media has made people more divided in their political opinions?
What percentage of Americans believe that social media has made people more divided in their political opinions?
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Which country's social media users are relatively less likely to post or share things online about political or social issues?
Which country's social media users are relatively less likely to post or share things online about political or social issues?
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Which political group in the United States is more likely to see the negative effects of social media on the political system?
Which political group in the United States is more likely to see the negative effects of social media on the political system?
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Which country's respondents have the highest average score in their negative take on social media's impact?
Which country's respondents have the highest average score in their negative take on social media's impact?
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Which global threat is considered to be the most significant after the spread of false information online?
Which global threat is considered to be the most significant after the spread of false information online?
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What percentage of respondents in the 19 countries surveyed believe access to the internet and social media have made people easier to manipulate with false information and rumors?
What percentage of respondents in the 19 countries surveyed believe access to the internet and social media have made people easier to manipulate with false information and rumors?
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In how many nations do majorities believe that social media has been a good thing for democracy?
In how many nations do majorities believe that social media has been a good thing for democracy?
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Which country's respondents are most negative about the impact of social media on democracy?
Which country's respondents are most negative about the impact of social media on democracy?
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What is the average score among U.S. respondents on the index that combines responses to six questions regarding the impact of the internet and social media on society?
What is the average score among U.S. respondents on the index that combines responses to six questions regarding the impact of the internet and social media on society?
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Which of the following is not considered a way social media is seen as effective for accomplishing political goals?
Which of the following is not considered a way social media is seen as effective for accomplishing political goals?
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True or false: A median of 65% believe that internet and social media have made people more united in their political opinions?
True or false: A median of 65% believe that internet and social media have made people more united in their political opinions?
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True or false: Majorities in nearly every country surveyed believe their political system allows people like them to have an influence in politics?
True or false: Majorities in nearly every country surveyed believe their political system allows people like them to have an influence in politics?
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True or false: Americans are the most positive about the impact of social media on democracy?
True or false: Americans are the most positive about the impact of social media on democracy?
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True or false: Singapore, Malaysia, Poland, Sweden, Hungary, and Israel have positive assessments of social media's impact on democracy?
True or false: Singapore, Malaysia, Poland, Sweden, Hungary, and Israel have positive assessments of social media's impact on democracy?
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True or false: Republicans and independents leaning toward the Republican Party are less likely than Democrats to see the ill effects of social media on the political system?
True or false: Republicans and independents leaning toward the Republican Party are less likely than Democrats to see the ill effects of social media on the political system?
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Study Notes
Negative Impact of Internet and Social Media on Democracy
- A recent survey across 19 countries shows that a median of 84% believe internet and social media have made people easier to manipulate with false information and rumors.
- The spread of false information online is considered a major threat by a median of 70% across the 19 nations, second only to climate change on a list of global threats.
- Approximately 65% of respondents think internet and social media have made people more divided in their political opinions.
- Majorities in nearly every country surveyed believe their political system does not allow people like them to have an influence in politics.
- Social media is seen as an effective tool for raising public awareness, changing people’s minds about issues, and influencing policy decisions in most countries.
- In South Korea, roughly half of social media users post or share things online about political or social issues, but this is less common in the other countries polled.
- Americans are the most negative about the impact of social media on democracy, with 64% saying it has been bad for democracy.
- Republicans and Republican-leaning independents (74%) are more likely than Democrats and Democratic leaners (57%) to see the negative effects of social media on the political system.
- Americans are also among the most negative in their assessments of specific ways social media has affected politics and society, with 79% believing it has made people more divided in their political opinions.
- A comparison index shows that Americans stand out for their negative take on social media’s impact, with an average score of 3.05, the highest in the survey.
- Dutch, Hungarian, and Australian respondents are also more negative than others in their assessments of the impact of internet and social media on society.
- Majorities in most of the nations surveyed believe social media has been a good thing for democracy, but Americans are the most negative.
Impact of Internet and Social Media on Society
- A recent survey across 19 countries revealed that a median of 84% feel that access to the internet and social media has made people more susceptible to manipulation with false information and rumors.
- The spread of false information online is considered a major threat by a median of 70% across the 19 nations, second only to climate change as a global threat.
- Additionally, a median of 65% believe that internet and social media have made people more divided in their political opinions, and more than four-in-ten say it has made people less civil in discussing politics.
- Majorities in nearly every country surveyed believe their political system does not allow people like them to have an influence in politics, with seven-in-ten or more expressing this view in nine nations, including the U.S.
- The survey also highlighted that the internet and social media have made people more informed about current events in their own country as well as in other countries, with young adults especially likely to hold this view.
- Most of those surveyed see social media as an effective tool for accomplishing political goals, with majorities in most countries saying it is at least somewhat effective at raising public awareness, changing people’s minds, and influencing policy decisions.
- Despite these positives, Americans are the most negative about the impact of social media on democracy, with 64% saying it has been bad, and 79% believing it has made people more divided in their political opinions and 69% saying it has made people less civil in discussing politics.
- Americans also stand out for their negative take on social media’s impact, with the average score among U.S. respondents being 3.05, the highest in the survey.
- Assessments of social media's impact on democracy are especially positive in Singapore, Malaysia, Poland, Sweden, Hungary, and Israel, where 65% or more hold this view.
- Republicans and independents leaning toward the Republican Party (74%) are much more likely than Democrats and Democratic leaners (57%) to see the ill effects of social media on the political system.
- Americans are consistently among the most negative in their assessments of specific ways social media has affected politics and society, with half or more also saying social media has been bad for democracy in the Netherlands, France, and Australia.
- The survey was conducted from Feb. 14 to June 3, 2022, among 24,525 adults in 19 nations, and the data illustrates the degree to which Americans stand out for their negative take on social media’s impact.
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Description
Quiz: The Negative Impact of Internet and Social Media on Democracy Test your knowledge about the detrimental effects of internet and social media on democratic processes. Explore key findings from a recent survey across 19 countries, including public perceptions of the spread of false information, political division, and influence in politics.
