"Heavy Use of Social Media Pulls People Away From Democracy"

[Financial News] A new survey has found that the more people use social media, the less supportive they are of democracy. According to a poll conducted by Gallup and the Charles F. Kettering Foundation of more than 20,000 Americans, more than one in ten respondents were "heavy users" who spend at least five hours a day on social media (SNS). These heavy users were more likely to feel that their own voices are being heard.
More than 60% of these heavy users said that protests, donations, and attending town hall meetings are effective ways to influence the government. Among people who do not use social media, only about half viewed these forms of civic engagement as effective.
However, heavy users were actually less likely to support democracy and were more open to the use of political violence.
They had more difficulty getting along with people who do not share their beliefs, and they were less likely to believe that everyone should have the right to vote. In particular, a smaller share of them agreed that democracy is the best form of government.
Only 57% of heavy social media users said democracy is the best form of government, compared with 73% among those who spend an hour or less a day on social media.
The researchers who conducted the survey explained that it is unclear whether platforms such as Instagram or X (social network) are causing these tendencies, or whether people who already have such tendencies are simply more likely to use social media heavily.
Derek Barker, senior research manager at the Kettering Foundation, said, "We are concerned that social media may be reinforcing the tendency to associate only with people who think like oneself, thereby strengthening these kinds of extreme beliefs."
Jaime Settle, a professor at the College of William & Mary (W&M), argued, "It may be that a particular type of person is spending a great deal of time on social media."
The Washington Post (WP) noted, however, that some studies suggest the impact of social media on polarization may be more limited than many assume.
Brendan Nyhan of Dartmouth College described the Kettering Foundation/Gallup survey on social media use and democracy as "an interesting hypothesis that deserves to be tested," but added that there is still no definitive evidence proving a causal link between social media use and distrust of democracy.
fair@fnnews.com Han Young-joon Reporter