Pew Research study shows global decline in social media confidence

A global study by the Pew Research Center involving 37 nations indicates a widespread decline in public confidence regarding the impact of social media on democracy. Since 2022, every surveyed country has reported a decrease in positive sentiment, with citizens increasingly viewing platforms like Facebook, X, TikTok, and YouTube as harmful to democratic processes.

Key concerns driving this pessimism include misinformation, political polarization, foreign interference, and the amplification of extreme voices. While the degree of skepticism varies by region, the downward trend is a global phenomenon.

In the United States, approximately 64% of adults believe social media is bad for democracy. The decline is even more pronounced in the Netherlands, where 70% of respondents now view social media negatively, compared to 54% in 2022. Despite this, a paradox exists in some regions; for instance, many Dutch citizens still view these platforms as vital tools for staying informed and participating in public debate, even as they express high levels of concern regarding manipulation and political division.