In 2021 alone, social media platforms have managed to engender a string of one controversy after the other.
Last week, Facebook doubled down on the decision to keep former President Trump banned from using the platform. Meanwhile, sites like Twiter and Snapchat have permanent bans against the 45th president. This has therefore triggered conversations about anti-conservative censorship and bias on social networking sites.
A new poll also indicates a distinct hurdle for social media platforms to overcome. According to Newsmax, more than six out of ten Americans believe social media furthers division in the country.
The General View of Social Media and Division in America
On Sunday, NBC News revealed their findings on a survey regarding how most Americans view social networking sites.
The result showed that 64% of U.S. citizens believe that platforms like Twitter and Facebook are more divisive than they are unifying. By contrast, only 27% of polled individuals professed that the aforementioned platforms are unifying forces in America.
Happy Mother’s Day to all NRA moms!
On top of the millions of other jobs moms have, NRA moms fight for our right to self-defense, while also defending themselves, their families, and communities.
We are forever grateful for these fierce women. pic.twitter.com/IC2rvlhGDe
— NRA (@NRA) May 9, 2021
NBC News’ findings get even more fascinating when breaking down the partisan demographics. Majorities across political spectrums agreed that social media sites are dividing Americans rather than bringing people together. To be precise, 77% of Republicans, 65% of Independents, and even 54% of Democrats harbor this outlook.
Two-thirds of individuals surveyed by NBC News classified themselves as using social media sites at least one time per day. Just 33% of polled Americans claimed to not use social media as frequently.
The Future of Social Media
Despite the latest polling on how Americans view social media, it’s not realistic to expect that these platforms are going away anytime soon.
For better or for worse, social media is largely ingrained in people’s lives. Politicians use it to convey messages, run campaigns, and build rapport with voters. Businesses use platforms like Instagram, Facebook, etc., to market their goods and services.
President Biden is using the same failed playbook we saw in the Obama green energy stimulus.
Read the full, in-depth report from @EnergyGOP Ranking Member @SenJohnBarrasso here: https://t.co/bUfxOaVHMf #SolyndraSyndrome pic.twitter.com/eX4L8tawW0
— Senate Republicans (@SenateGOP) May 7, 2021
Many everyday Americans also use social media to stay in touch with friends or even just blow off steam. Despite the strong presence that social media has in our everyday lives, debates and questions about the setups and decisions of these platforms will continue to be part of the conversation.
Do you believe that social media platforms are contributing to division in America? How do you think social media has impacted politics and the culture war in the United States? Give us your perspectives and insight in the comments section below.
