Majorities of Democrats, Republicans raising say social media platforms are effective for raising awareness about issues, creating sustained movements raising % ofU.S. adults who say social media are very or somewhat effective as a way to
Overall, eight-in-ten Americans say social media platforms are very (31%) or somewhat (49%) effective for raising public awareness about political or social issues, according to the survey of U.S. adults conducted July 13-19. A similar share (77%) believes these platforms are at least somewhat effective for creating sustained social movements.
Democrats and independents who lean Democratic are more likely than Republicans and Republican leaners to say social media sites are at least somewhat effective as a way to raise public awareness about political or social issues (86% vs. 74%), create sustained social movements (82% vs. 73%) and get elected officials to pay attention to issues (71% vs. 59%). Partisan gaps are more modest when it comes to these platforms’ effectiveness at influencing policy or changing people’s minds.
Majorities of Democrats, Republicans raising say social  | media platforms are effective for raising awareness  | about issues, creating sustained movements raising  | % ofU.S. adults who say social media are very or somewhat effective  | as a way to  | Very  | NET  | Somewhat  | U.S. adults  | 31  | 49  | 80  | Raise public awareness  | about political, social  | 74  | Rep/Lean Rep  | 22  | 51  | issues  | Dem/Lean Dem  | 86  | 39  | 47  | U.S. adults  | 27  | 77  | 50  | Create sustained  | Rep/Lean Rep  | 73  | 24  | 49  | social movements  | 82  | Dem/L Lean Dem  | 30  | 52  | U.S. adults  | 17  | 48  | 65  | Get elected officials  | Rep/Lean Rep  | 14  | 46  | to pay attention to  | 59  | issues  | Dem/Lean Dem  | 20  | 51  | 71  | U.S. adults  | 63  | 15  | 48  | Influence policy  | Rep/Lean Rep  | 61  | 15  | 45  | decisions  | Dem/Lean Dem  | 15  | 51  | 66  | U.S. adults  | 58  | 16  | 42  | Change people's  | social minds about political,  | Rep/Lean Rep  | 40  | 16  | 55  | social issues political,  | Dem/Lean Dem  | 17  | 43  | 60  | Note: Those who did not give an answer rounding. or who gave fother responses are not shown.  | Figures may not add to subtotals due to rounding.  | Source: Survey of U.S. adults conducted July 13-19 2020.  | PEW RESEARCH CENTER 