Across the Globe, People Increasingly Say Social Media Is Harming Democracy

A recent survey by the Pew Research Center found that a growing number of people worldwide believe that social media is harming democracy. The survey, conducted in 28 countries, revealed that 74% of respondents in the United States, 77% in South Korea, and 81% in Spain believe that social media has a negative impact on democracy. The survey also found that the biggest concerns about social media's impact on democracy were the spread of misinformation and the amplification of extremist views. In the United States, 71% of respondents cited the spread of misinformation as the main reason for their concern, while 59% cited the amplification of extremist views. The survey also found that the majority of respondents in every single country surveyed believed that social media companies have too much power and influence over the flow of information.