November 2018 – According to a Pew Research Center survey of U.S. adults concluded on June 11, 14% of the overall public said their perceptions about a political or social issue have changed as a result of a social media post in the last year. Men are more likely than women to change their minds, and young men (18-29) are more than twice as likely to change their minds (29%) than the general public.
Ethnic minorities and Democrats, as opposed to Republicans, are also more likely to change their opinions as a result of social media posts.
The majority of Americans view social media platforms as tools giving voice to underrepresented groups that first, bring awareness to vital hidden issues, and second, hold powerful people accountable. A majority also agree that social media entities distract people from important issues or give them the impression they are making a difference when they actually are not.
