Pew Survey Finds Global Concern Over Social Media’s Harm to Democracy Is Growing

A new Pew Research study shows that people around the world are growing more worried about social media’s impact on democracy. The survey, which covered 37 nations, found that sentiment has declined in every country since Pew last ran it in 2022.

Concern Runs Highest in the United States

Attitudes are particularly negative in the U.S., where 64% of adults say social media is bad for democracy. The data also reveals a pattern linked to wealth: people living in richer nations are more likely to believe the platforms exert a negative influence. Adults, meanwhile, appear statistically more worried than teenagers.

The findings are not entirely one-sided. Across all respondents, 55% said social media has had an overall positive effect on democracy, and younger adults were especially likely to see the platforms as beneficial. That split suggests the debate often divides along generational lines.

Public Backing for Teen Restrictions

The report arrives alongside another Pew survey showing that 82% of Australian adults support restricting children’s access to social media. Support rises with age, with older respondents the most likely to view teen bans as a positive step. Similar studies in the U.S., U.K., France, Italy, Norway and Sweden also show majority support among adults for limiting teen access.

Critics argue that engagement-driven algorithms have stoked division by amplifying emotional and argumentative posts, in some cases pushing people to change or harden their political views. With most of the voting public seemingly in favor of tighter rules, more teen social media bans may be difficult to avoid.

For platforms, the message is clear: public patience is wearing thin, and pressure for regulation is likely to keep building.