Link: https://www.pewresearch.org/global/2026/10/01/across-the-globe-people-increasingly-say-social-media-is-harming-democracy/

In nations with lower gross domestic products per capita, people tend to be less negative about social media. For example, in Ghana, Kenya, Nigeria, the Philippines and Thailand, roughly three-in-four or more say it has been good for democracy.

In most countries polled, this positive view is predominant. Across the 37 nations surveyed, a median of 55% think social media has had a positive impact on democracy, while a median of 35% say it has had a negative one.

Young adults in most nations are especially likely to believe social media has a positive effect on democracy. One of the largest age gaps is found in the U.K., where 60% of adults ages 18 to 34 say social media’s influence on democracy has been good, compared with just 31% of those ages 50 and older. In the U.S., 44% of adults younger than 35 hold this view, compared with 28% of people 50 and older.

Why do so many people think online platforms have been good for democracy? Part of the answer may be that these platforms give people a voice at time when many feel voiceless. A median of 60% in the 37 countries surveyed say access to the internet and social media has increased people’s ability to have a meaningful voice in politics.

And access to the internet and social media can inform people about current events: A median of 77% think it has led people to be more informed.

The problems are our plummeting quality of life, the doom of climate change and the corporate control of social media which puts all the power in the hands of unelected rightwing billionaires, NOT social media itself.

The narrative we have all slept walk into endorsing together that social media is inherently bad or somehow magically destroys our focus is extraordinarily dangerous.

Almost everyone I know in real life has fallen for this narrative hook line and sinker and it makes them exceedingly boring and unilluminating to talk to about anything that actually matters with.

Don't be one of these people seduced by lazy moral panic, use your brain.

You have to ask yourself why did Saudi investors give so money to Musk for him to ruin twitter? Why would Saudi Arabia need twitter to become a wasteland of bots and hate?

It's like blaming the gun for killing people instead of the person doing the shooting.

From my perspective, it's the nefarious groups like Russia, the US, and certain corporations. Including Musk and others that are spamming social media with discordant media and troll bots.

We had message boards back in the day that were pretty much social media before it existed. The internet was just fine at the time.