Social Media: Pros and

Cons
There are many positives and negatives to social media use. Since it’s clear social
media is here to stay even as it evolves, it’s important to embrace the positive effects
of social media and understand the negative effects of social media. This knowledge
will help us learn to use these platforms for the right reasons and avoid problems with
social media and mental health.

Pros
We often only think about the bad that goes along with social networking, but there
are many great effects of social media on people of all ages. The most obvious
positive effects of social media focus on communication and socialization. These
sites help us keep in touch with people we may not regularly see, call, or text.

Social networking also allows users to meet people they may not have otherwise
met. Even if a person has a niche interest, they can find their community online.
These platforms are often a way for people who may be introverted to make friends.
For many, it can help to alleviate loneliness and depression.

There’s also the convenience factor. It’s easy to get in touch with a large group of
people at one time. Users can share information quickly and effectively. This power
becomes even more evident in times of crisis when users can report themselves safe
and ease the worries of their friends and loved ones.

Social platforms can also allow people to precipitate social change on massive
scales. Users can share ideas and experiences and even organize to affect change.

Cons
While the positives are great, it’s equally important to acknowledge the negative
effects of social media. One of the biggest concerns is that social media use can lead
to poor mental health, particularly in young adults. Features like infinite scroll and
algorithms designed to continue showing related interests keep people on these sites
as long as possible. As with any obsession, people sacrifice much of their time for
social media and mental health suffers.

Social media use can cause a lot of insecurities, especially in teens. Kids follow
famous people on these sites and set unrealistic expectations for body image.
Seeing people who are often popular and considered beautiful can give teens a
negative body image. A negative body image can lead to low self-esteem and
even eating disorders.
Young adults and millennials are often bombarded with images and videos of
influencers who appear to be living picture-perfect lives. They fail to realize that
presenting these perfect images is how these people make money and develop
unrealistic expectations of what happiness should look like. When their own lives fall
short, they may experience loneliness and depression.

Since people spend so much time online, they often suffer from information overload.
While information is good, too much information can lead to confusion or even a lack
of factual evidence. Information overload can have far-reaching ramifications and can
even influence how people vote.

Signs That Social Media Is

Affecting Your Health
You should always be cautious when it comes to social media and mental health.
Watch for these signs to ensure you’re not experiencing some of the negative effects
of social media.

 Constant feelings of inadequacy: Feeling like you aren’t enough, particularly

around body image and success factors.
 Feelings of isolation: Spending more time on social platforms than in the real
world
 Cyberbullying: Engaging in cyberbullying or being the victim of cyberbullying is
one of the worse effects of social media
 Fear of missing out: Feeling like your life isn’t enough, often leading to anxiety
and unhappiness
 Obssession: Turning down other invitations and activities in favor of spending
time on social platforms
 Narcissism: Overwhelming need to share photos of yourself and feeling like life
events are meaningless if you don’t share online
64% of Americans say social
media have a mostly negative
effect on the way things are
going in the U.S. today
BYBROOKE AUXİER

About two-thirds of Americans (64%) say social media have a mostly negative effect on the
way things are going in the country today, according to a Pew Research Center survey of U.S.
adults conducted July 13-19, 2020. Just one-in-ten Americans say social media sites have a
mostly positive effect on the way things are going, and one-quarter say these platforms have a
neither positive nor negative effect.

Those who have a negative view of the impact of social media mention, in particular,
misinformation and the hate and harassment they see on social media. They also have
concerns about users believing everything they see or read – or not being sure about what to
believe. Additionally, they bemoan social media’s role in fomenting partisanship and
polarization, the creation of echo chambers, and the perception that these platforms oppose
President Donald Trump and conservatives.
How we did this

The public’s views on the positive and negative effect of social media vary widely by political
affiliation and ideology. Across parties, larger shares describe social media’s impact as mostly
negative rather than mostly positive, but this belief is particularly widespread among
Republicans.

Roughly half of Democrats and independents who lean toward the Democratic Party (53%)
say social media have a largely negative effect on the way things are going in the country
today, compared with 78% of Republicans and leaners who say the same. Democrats are
about three times as likely as Republicans to say these sites have a mostly positive impact
(14% vs. 5%) and twice as likely to say social media have neither a positive nor negative
effect (32% vs. 16%).

Among Democrats, there are no differences in these views along ideological lines.
Republicans, however, are slightly more divided by ideology. Conservative Republicans are
more likely than moderate to liberal Republicans to say social media have a mostly negative
effect (83% vs. 70%). Conversely, moderate to liberal Republicans are more likely than their
conservative counterparts to say social media have a mostly positive (8% vs. 4%) or neutral
impact (21% vs. 13%).

Younger adults are more likely to say social media have a positive impact on the way things
are going in the country and are less likely to believe social media sites have a negative
impact compared with older Americans. For instance, 15% of those ages 18 to 29 say social
media have a mostly positive effect on the way things are going in the country today, while
just 8% of those over age 30 say the same. Americans 18 to 29 are also less likely than those
30 and older to say social media have a mostly negative impact (54% vs. 67%).
However, views among younger adults vary widely by partisanship. For example, 43% of
Democrats ages 18 to 29 say social media have a mostly negative effect on the way things are
going, compared with about three-quarters (76%) of Republicans in the same age group. In
addition, these youngest Democrats are more likely than their Republican counterparts to say
social media platforms have a mostly positive (20% vs. 6%) or neither a positive nor negative
effect (35% vs. 18%) on the way things are going in the country today. This partisan division
persists among those 30 and older, but most of the gaps are smaller than those seen within the
younger cohort.

Views on the negative impact of social media vary only slightly between social media users
(63%) and non-users (69%), with non-users being slightly more likely to say these sites have
a negative impact. However, among social media users, those who say some or a lot of what
they see on social media is related to politics are more likely than those who say a little or
none of what they see on these sites is related to politics to think social media platforms have
a mostly negative effect on the way things are going in the country today (65% vs. 50%).

Past Pew Research Center studies have drawn attention to the complicated relationships
Americans have with social media. In 2019, a Center survey found that 72% of U.S. adults
reported using at least one social media site. And while these platforms have been used
for political and social activism and engagement, they also raise concerns among portions of
the population. Some think political ads on these sites are unacceptable, and many object to
the way social media platforms have been weaponized to spread made-up news and
engender online harassment. At the same time, a share of users credit something they saw on
social media with changing their views about a political or social issue. And growing shares
of Americans who use these sites also report feeling worn out by political posts and
discussions on social media.
Those who say social media have negative impact cite concerns about misinformation, hate,
censorship; those who see positive impact cite being informed

When asked to elaborate on the main reason why they think social media have a mostly
negative effect on the way things are going in this country today, roughly three-in-ten (28%)
respondents who hold that view mention the spreading of misinformation and made-up news.
Smaller shares reference examples of hate, harassment, conflict and extremism (16%) as a
main reason, and 11% mention a perceived lack of critical thinking skills among many users –
voicing concern about people who use these sites believing everything they see or read or
being unsure about what to believe.

In written responses that mention misinformation or made-up news, a portion of adults often
include references to the spread, speed and amount of false information available on these
platforms. (Responses are lightly edited for spelling, style and readability.) For example:

“They allow for the rampant spread of misinformation.” –Man, 36

“False information is spread at lightning speed – and false information never seems to go
away.” –Woman, 71

“Social media is rampant with misinformation both about the coronavirus and political and
social issues, and the social media organizations do not do enough to combat this.” –Woman,
26

“Too much misinformation and lies are promoted from unsubstantiated sources that lead
people to disregard vetted and expert information.” –Woman, 64

People’s responses that centered around hate, harassment, conflict or extremism in some way
often mention concerns that social media contributes to incivility online tied to anonymity, the
spreading of hate-filled ideas or conspiracies, or the incitement of violence.

“People say incendiary, stupid and thoughtless things online with the perception of anonymity
that they would never say to someone else in person.” –Man, 53

“Promotes hate and extreme views and in some cases violence.” –Man, 69

“People don’t respect others’ opinions. They take it personally and try to fight with the other
group. You can’t share your own thoughts on controversial topics without fearing someone
will try to hurt you or your family.” –Woman, 65

“Social media is where people go to say some of the most hateful things they can imagine.” –
Man, 46

About one-in-ten responses talk about how people on social media can be easily confused and
believe everything they see or read or are not sure about what to believe.

“People believe everything they see and don’t verify its accuracy.” –Man, 75

“Many people can’t distinguish between real and fake news and information and share it
without doing proper research …” –Man, 32

“You don’t know what’s fake or real.” –Man, 49

“It is hard to discern truth.” –Woman, 80

“People cannot distinguish fact from opinion, nor can they critically evaluate sources. They
tend to believe everything they read, and when they see contradictory information
(particularly propaganda), they shut down and don’t appear to trust any information.” –Man,
42

Smaller shares complain that the platforms censor content or allow material that is biased
(9%), too negative (7%) or too steeped in partisanship and division (6%).

“Social media is censoring views that are different than theirs. There is no longer freedom of
speech.” –Woman, 42

“It creates more divide between people with different viewpoints.” –Man, 37

“Focus is on negativity and encouraging angry behavior rather than doing something to help
people and make the world better.” –Woman, 66

Far fewer Americans – 10% – say they believe social media has a mostly positive effect on
the way things are going in the country today. When those who hold these positive views
were asked about the main reason why they thought this, one-quarter say these sites help
people stay informed and aware (25%) and about one-in-ten say they allow for
communication, connection and community-building (12%).

“We are now aware of what’s happening around the world due to the social media outlet.” –
Woman, 28

“It brings awareness to important issues that affect all Americans.” –Man, 60

“It brings people together; folks can see that there are others who share the same/similar
experience, which is really important, especially when so many of us are isolated.” –Woman,
36

“Helps people stay connected and share experiences. I also get advice and recommendations
via social media.” –Man, 32

“It keeps people connected who might feel lonely and alone if there did not have social media
…” – Man, 65

Smaller shares tout social media as a place where marginalized people and groups have a
voice (8%) and as a venue for activism and social movements (7%).

“Spreading activism and info and inspiring participation in Black Lives Matter.” –Woman,
31

“It gives average people an opportunity to voice and share their opinions.” –Man, 67

“Visibility – it has democratized access and provided platforms for voices who have been and
continue to be oppressed.” –Woman, 27

Note: This is part of a series of blog posts leading up to the 2020 presidential election that
explores the role of social media in politics today. Here are the questions used for this report,
along with responses, and its methodology