Social media have become the primary source of information for many Americans in recent years. According to the Pew Research Center, about 54 percent of adults in the United States get their news from some social media platform, causing the number of people who watch television news to decrease over the years.
A single tweet or TikTok video can spark conversations nationwide. Social media has become a key player in shaping voter opinions, affecting how people view candidates, policies and elections.
Social media influencers can sway voters’ attitudes, raising concerns about transparency and misinformation in modern elections. Penn State’s recent findings highlight this dynamic, showing that influencers can notably impact perceptions on political topics, often swaying opinions more than traditional news sources.
While some argue that social media offers an efficient gateway to quick political updates, others point out its inherent biases. Eli Christian, a social media analyst and coordinator at HuffPost, says it’s all based on cookies.
“Cookies track users’ online behavior, creating a digital profile of their preferences and interests. This information allows platforms to serve highly targeted content, which can unintentionally isolate users from differing viewpoints,” Christian said. “When users only see content that aligns with their perspectives, it reduces the likelihood of meaningful, diverse political engagement. When users see content not aligning with their beliefs, it usually sparks a debate.”
Another Pew Research study found that many countries view social media’s impact on democracy positively, yet Americans show a marked contrast. In the United States, social media’s influence is seen as detrimental due to misinformation and divisive rhetoric, contributing to an environment where voters feel online platforms hurt democracy rather than help it.
Locally, some voters see the positives in how social media provides quick access to political information. Tracy Williams, a Florida State University junior, says she tries to stay from political social media.
“I can get news faster through TikTok, but sometimes, reading the comments makes you feel like ‘there’s no way people think this way,’” Williams said. “I can’t tell if they’re trolling or just have no consideration for others, which is scary.”
First-time voter Eric Johnson says rumors are a lot to process. “I like that I don’t have to wait to hear about what’s happening in politics, but sometimes you see the same rumor repeated so much that it starts to feel unreal,” Johnson said.
While the Trump v. Harris presidential and general elections are just days away, social media continues to be both a tool and a challenge for voters. This means navigating information and disinformation when voices can be powerful yet misleading for voters. Christian recommends that users research any information or rumors outside social media before forming an opinion on political candidates.