Social Media Plays a Growing Role in Political and Social Engagement, Pew Survey Finds

Social media has become more than a space for casual scrolling. For millions of Americans, it acts as a platform to engage with political and social issues, share opinions, and connect with people who hold similar beliefs. Recent research from the Pew Research Center sheds light on how users view these platforms and the role they play in civic life.

Connecting with Like-Minded People

Many users see social media as a tool for building communities around shared beliefs. Roughly half of adult users say these platforms help them find others who think similarly on important issues. This level of engagement has grown steadily over the years and now marks the highest since 2018.

Despite this, fewer users view social media as essential for active participation. About 42% say it helps them get involved in political or social causes, while 34% consider it a space to express political opinions. Although these numbers have increased slightly since last year, they remain similar to levels seen in 2018 and 2020.

Younger Adults Lead Engagement

Age strongly influences how social media is used for civic engagement. Users under 30 are more likely to see these platforms as critical for involvement. More than half report that social media helps them engage in issues meaningful to them, compared with around four-in-ten users aged 30 and older. Differences are smaller for expressing opinions, but younger adults still place greater value on social media for political voice.

Differences Across Race and Ethnicity

Race and ethnicity also shape how social media is perceived. Asian, Black, and Hispanic users are more likely than White users to find social media important for all forms of engagement. Around 60% of these groups report that social media helps them connect with like-minded individuals, compared with 45% of White users. This trend mirrors findings from the previous year.

Political Leanings Influence Perceptions

Political affiliation affects how users view social media’s role. Democrats and Democratic-leaning independents are more likely than Republicans and Republican-leaning independents to see it as valuable for engaging in issues, finding like-minded people, and expressing political opinions. For instance, 47% of Democrats say it helps them get involved in causes, compared with 37% of Republicans.

Balancing Benefits and Drawbacks

Americans recognize both positive and negative effects of social media on public discourse. Large shares of adults say platforms distract from important issues (79%) and can give users a false sense of impact (76%).

At the same time, many see social media as a force for good. Around 69% say it highlights pressing issues and gives a voice to underrepresented groups. However, only 48% believe it makes holding powerful figures accountable easier, down from 56% in 2018.

Converging Partisan Views Over Time

Perceptions across party lines have become more aligned. Both Democrats and Republicans now largely agree that social media highlights important issues. Similarly, the perception that social media distracts or creates a false sense of influence shows minimal partisan gap today, reflecting a broader consensus about its mixed impact.

Young Users See Greater Influence

Age continues to matter in how Americans view the positive effects of social media. Those under 30 are more likely than older adults to believe platforms help amplify underrepresented voices, spotlight important issues, and hold power accountable. Among younger users, 62% say social media aids accountability, compared with 36% of adults 65 and older. Negative perceptions show smaller age differences.

Notes: This post was edited/created using GenAI tools.

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