WASHINGTON, D.C. — A new national survey suggests that heavy social media use may be associated with declining confidence in democratic governance and norms among Americans.
According to research from the Charles F. Kettering Foundation and Gallup, individuals who spend five or more hours daily on social media are significantly less likely to view democracy as the best form of government. Only 57% of heavy users hold that view, compared to roughly 72–73% among those who use social media sparingly or not at all.
The findings also indicate that heavy users are more likely to see facts as subjective and more open to political violence, with 22% saying it can sometimes be justified, compared to 8% among low-use individuals. At the same time, heavy users report feeling more respected in their beliefs and more confident that ordinary citizens can influence national outcomes.
Researchers note that while social media expands access to information and civic engagement, it may also contribute to a fragmented information environment. Despite these differences, about two-thirds of Americans overall still say democracy is the best form of government.
The survey included more than 20,000 U.S. adults and has a margin of error of ±0.9 percentage points.
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