Social media harms democracy by spreading rumors, survey shows

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1. 2h ago

   Survey Finds Growing Global Concern That Social Media Harms Democracy

   A new global survey from the Pew Research Center reveals that an increasing number of people believe social media manipulates, divides populations, and damages democracy by spreading rumors and misinformation. Public skepticism is rising across numerous countries, though sentiments vary widely by region, with some nations showing notably higher levels of concern than others. Major technology platforms operating popular sites such as Meta, Snap, and TikTok face escalating international scrutiny alongside thousands of lawsuits and substantial settlements related to user harm, prompting governments worldwide to consider stricter regulatory measures.

   Why it matters

   Public faith in digital platforms has deteriorated as concerns mount over how online content influences elections and civic discourse. Companies running major networks have confronted extensive litigation and financial penalties over user welfare. Governments are weighing tighter regulations to curb the propagation of misinformation on these platforms.

   What is confirmed

   • A growing number of people think social media manipulates and divides people and harms democracy, according to a Pew Research Center survey.
   • Companies running popular social platforms, including Meta, Snap, and TikTok, have faced thousands of lawsuits and paid large sums to settle claims that they harmed users.
   • Seventy percent of people in the Netherlands call social media a risk to democracy.
   • Twenty-three percent of Indians believe social media is bad for democracy, which is lower than the global average.

   Still unconfirmed

   • Sixty-six percent of Indians feel positive about the role of social media in democracy.

   What to watch next

   • Implementation of stricter regulations by governments worldwide concerning social media platforms
   • Further legal developments and settlements involving major technology companies like Meta, Snap, and TikTok
   Sources used for this update (19)

   1. Reuters — Social media harms democracy by spreading rumors, survey shows
   2. Pew Research Center — Across the Globe, People Increasingly Say Social Media Is Harming Democracy
   3. Yahoo — Concerns about social media’s negative impact are growing
   4. NDTV Profit — 23% Indians Believe Social Media Is 'Bad' For Democracy; Lower Than Global Average: Pew Survey
   5. Межа. Новини України. — Pew Survey Finds Growing Concern That Social Media Harms Democracy
   6. MediaPost — U.S., Other Countries Say Social Media Harms Democracy 10/02/2026
   7. Fingerlakes1.com — Pew survey finds Americans remain unusually negative about social media and democracy
   8. NL Times — Dutch leading growing skeptism of social media; 70% call it a risk to democracy
   9. GIGAZINE — A survey of 37 countries, including Japan, revealed a significant increase in the percentage of people who believe that social media negatively impacts democracy.
   10. ThePrint — While the world grows wary of social media, 66% Indians feel positive about its role in democracy
   11. bbc.bm — Social media harms democracy by spreading rumors, survey shows | Bermuda News, TV & Radio | Bermuda Broad....
   12. www.dzrh.com.ph — Social media harms democracy by spreading rumors, survey shows
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