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Globally, more people now view social media as a threat to democracy rather than a benefit, with scepticism especially strong in wealthier countries such as the Netherlands. This is according to a major new Pew Research Centre survey, which polled over 45,000 individuals in 37 countries.
What the survey found
The study shows a decline in global sentiment. While most people still see benefits in social media, such as staying informed and expressing political views, an increasing number now believe these platforms are ultimately harmful to democracy. In 16 of 26 countries with comparable data, the share viewing social media as bad for democracy has grown since 2022.
Scepticism is highest in wealthier nations. In the United States, 64 percent of adults now say social media negatively affects democracy. The Netherlands is also among the most doubtful countries, with Dutch respondents expressing significant concern.
Why the mood is darkening
Common concerns include increased susceptibility to manipulation, deeper political divisions, and the rapid spread of false information. In the Netherlands, these issues are tangible. The annual Digital News Report shows anxiety about online misinformation rising from about 30 percent of Dutch adults in 2018 to nearly 50 percent in 2026, even as social media becomes a more important news source, particularly among younger users who trust it the least. It is not a direct measurement of harm to democracy itself, and respondents consistently recognise the benefits of these platforms alongside the risks. What the data captures is a shift in how people feel about social media, and that shift is clearly towards greater unease.
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A debate turning into action
Shifting public opinion is directly influencing policy. Australia has led by banning social media for children under 16, a measure supported by over 80 percent of Australian adults. The country has also allowed users to disable algorithmically recommended feeds. It would bar under-13s from social media and allow only supervised accounts up to 15, a plan the Dutch cabinet has backed, pushing for EU-wide rather than national rules. Domestically, Dutch researchers and regulators have gone further still, with the media regulator calling for measures to promote “democratically healthier feeds” and rein in the algorithms that decide what people see.
Currently, the survey provides a snapshot of a public mood that has become significantly more sceptical in recent years. Whether this leads to broad regulations like those in Australia or more targeted, child-focused measures in Europe will be a key digital policy question for the Netherlands and beyond.