Pew Survey Finds Growing Global Belief Social Media Harms Democracy
A Pew Research Center survey reveals increasing global skepticism toward social media, prompting Australia to ban the platforms for children under 16.
A survey of more than 45,000 people across 37 countries by the Pew Research Center shows a growing global belief that social media harms democracy by dividing and manipulating users. The report indicates that the share of people viewing these platforms as detrimental to democracy increased in 16 of 26 countries since 2022.
Skepticism is most concentrated in wealthier nations. In the United States, 64% of adult respondents believe social media is damaging to democracy, a trend mirrored in Canada and the United Kingdom. Conversely, respondents in lower-GDP economies, including Ghana, Kenya, and Nigeria, are less likely to view the platforms as harmful.
In response to these concerns, the Government of Australia banned social media for children under 16, a policy supported by 82% of Australian adults. Australian officials also proposed new rules that would allow users to opt out of algorithmically recommended feeds. These developments occur as companies including Meta, TikTok, and Snap Inc. face thousands of lawsuits and have paid settlements over claims of harming users.
