On Americans’ Views of Social Media Companies

Last week, Pew Research Center released “Americans’ Views of Technology Companies.” Its comments on Social Media included:

• “Most think social media companies have too much influence in politics and censor political viewpoints they object to.

• “Americans are far more likely to say social media has a negative rather than positive impact on the country. Roughly two-thirds (64%) think social media has a mostly negative effect on the way things are going in the country today.

• “Only 10% describe social media as having a mostly positive impact on the country. 

• "These overall figures are nearly identical to what the Center found in 2020 ... Americans who see social media’s impact on the country as mostly negative has remained at 64%.

• “Amid concerns over free speech, social media’s impact on youth and AI’s impending foothold, lawmakers and advocates on both sides of the political aisle have pushed for more government oversight of the tech industry.

• “51% believe these companies should be regulated more than they are now. Far fewer – 16% – feel they should be regulated less than they are now."

OUR TAKE

• The broad reach of social media platforms extend beyond politics and include areas such as commerce, marketing, education, entertainment and more.

• Regulating social media will require assessing 1) how social media differs from traditional media, 2) the dynamics of free speech and misinformation and 3) algorithm design and use.   

• Beyond the report's focus on politics, concerns are increasing about social media's impact on mental health amoung teens and other populations (e.g. anxiety, depression, stress).