Americans turning on social media, most think it hurts democracy: Poll

www.washingtonexaminer.com ^ | November 19, 2018 08:18 AM | by Katelyn Caralle

[Red Badger]

U.S. adults have begun to turn on social media giants like Facebook and Twitter, and a majority believes that these social media platforms have done more to hurt democracy and free speech than help.

Last year, 43 percent of U.S. adults thought social media hurt society, but that increased to 57 percent in 2018, according to an Axios poll conducted through mid November.

Both Democrats and Republicans have soured on social media, as Republicans have claimed censorship of conservative voices, and Democrats have complained about the use of targeted ads that they say can be used to discriminate against minorities.

Nine percent more Democrats believe social media hurts free speech than last year, and 17 percent more Republicans feel that way, the poll said.

Overall, however, 63 percent of U.S. adults 18 and older say that social media plays a positive role in their lives, and 40 percent say social media has a positive affect on society.

[SoFloFreeper]

Good

[upchuck]

I deleted everything I had, which wasn’t much to begin with, and closed my FB account nearly a year and a half ago. Don’t miss it at all................

Unfortunately, Facebook is like the Hotel California:

They stab it with their steely knives
But they just can't kill the beast
Last thing I remember
I was running for the door
I had to find the passage back to the place I was before
Relax said the nightman
We are programed to receive
You can check out any time you like
But you can never leave

[upchuck]

This is the Facebook Is Evil ping list.

If you'd like to be on or off this list, please click Private Reply below and drop me a FReepmail.

[upchuck]

I’ve been predicting this and waiting for this. Took awhile for folks to wake up. (Longer than I thought it would.)

[afterhoursarmory]

Facebook is the retirement home of social media.

[Thank You Rush]

I’m not sure about the other causes/reasons for thinking negatively about those mentioned but I believe it has given anyone using them license to be as nasty as they want - without having to confront anyone. It sure shows here at FR - almost like people forget they aren’t using social media and just let their nasty moods/attitudes fly. I, for one would like to see a return to a kinder, gentler FR. And it’s a puzzle to find out the longer they’ve been on FR, the nastier they become. Must be old age setting in.