A recent Pew Research study has revealed that more than three-quarters of American adults believe that social media companies have too much power and influence in politics. The study shows that 78% of adults feel this way, which is an increase from 72% four years ago.
Breaking it down by political affiliation, the research becomes even more intriguing. Those leaning Republican have consistently held the belief that social media companies have too much political influence, with 82% expressing this sentiment in 2020 and 84% in February of this year. On the other hand, the numbers have significantly risen for those leaning Democrat, with 74% sharing this view this year, up from 63% four years ago.
The reasons behind these findings are not explicitly stated in the research, but some speculations can be made. The survey was conducted during the Israel-Gaza conflict, during which Meta, in particular, faced accusations of censoring pro-Palestinian views. Additionally, the actions of Elon Musk, who has been vocal about addressing what he perceives as a leftist bias on Twitter, may have contributed to the shifting perceptions.
Overall, the study suggests that a majority of respondents view social media as having a negative impact on U.S. politics, with only 10% seeing it in a positive light. While the overall figures have remained consistent since 2020, there are notable shifts in perception based on political affiliation.
The findings indicate a potential political realignment on social media platforms in the U.S., with left-leaning users expressing greater dissatisfaction with the current state of affairs. It is evident that both Republicans and Democrats are increasingly critical of the role of social media companies in shaping political discourse.