Fueling The Fire: How Social Media Intensifies U.S. Political Polarization – And What Can Be Done About It
September 2021
Do major tech sites stoke political polarization?
Some critics of the social media industry contend that widespread use of Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube has contributed to increased political polarization in the United States. But Facebook, the largest social media platform, has disputed this contention, saying that it is unsupported by social science research. Determining whether social media plays a role in worsening partisan animosity is important because political polarization has pernicious consequences. We conclude that social media platforms are not the main cause of rising partisan hatred, but use of these platforms intensifies divisiveness and thus contributes to its corrosive effects.
The consequences of extreme partisan animosity
In the U.S., where divisiveness has reached new extremes, the consequences of polarization include declining trust in fellow citizens and major institutions; erosion of democratic norms like respect for elections; loss of faith in the existence of commonly held facts; and political violence such as the January 6, 2021, insurrection on Capitol Hill.
Technology & DemocracyRelated
See all
Conscience Incorporated
In his new book Conscience Incorporated, Michael Posner, director of the Center for Business and Human Rights, offers practical strategies and bold reforms to help businesses align profitability with ethical responsibility.
Setting Higher Standards: How Governments Can Regulate Corporate Human Rights Performance
Our report, released three months after the landmark CSDDD entered into force, provides a roadmap for regulators and companies navigating a new era of corporate human rights responsibility.
Covert Campaigns: Safeguarding Encrypted Messaging Platforms from Voter Manipulation
Our new report on encrypted messaging platforms reveals how political propagandists are exploiting these tools to manipulate voters globally, while offering recommendations for platforms, policymakers, and researchers to mitigate these threats without undermining end-to-end encryption.