In a survey conducted by the Pew Research Center published Monday, it was found that a significant majority of American adults believe that social media companies hold too much influence over politics. 

The survey, which gathered responses from 10,133 US adults between February 7 and 11, 2024, revealed that 78% of respondents felt that these companies exerted excessive political power. This sentiment has seen a notable increase of 6% since the previous presidential election year.

Rare Bipartisan Shared Concerns

The survey also shed light on bipartisan concerns regarding social media's influence, with 84% of surveyed Republicans and 74% of Democrats expressing apprehension about the extent of these companies' political sway. 

This shared concern has translated into legislative actions, showcasing rare bipartisan collaboration.

Senators Marsha Blackburn (R-TN) and Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) have co-sponsored the Kids Online Safety Act, emphasizing the need for social media platforms to prioritize children's safety. 

However, criticisms have arisen regarding potential implications for adult privacy and government surveillance.

Similarly, Senators Lindsey Graham (R-SC) and Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) have come together to propose a commission aimed at overseeing major tech platforms, highlighting growing bipartisan efforts to address concerns surrounding big tech's influence.

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Divergent Views on Bias

While there's broad agreement on the issue of social media's overarching influence, views diverge when it comes to perceived bias within tech companies. 

The survey indicated that 71% of Republicans believe these companies favor liberal perspectives, whereas 50% of Democrats believe tech companies support both viewpoints equally.

The rise of explicitly conservative social platforms, such as Rumble, Parler, and Truth Social, has contributed to these contrasting perceptions. 

Moreover, ongoing government scrutiny, including lawsuits against tech giants like Amazon, Apple, and Meta for alleged monopolistic behaviors, shows the complex dynamics at play.

Despite these differing views, there's a growing consensus among Americans regarding the need for regulation. 

The survey revealed that 51% of respondents believe major technology companies should be subject to more government regulation, signaling a shift towards greater oversight.

This sentiment aligns with recent actions from the legislators, including President Joe Biden's signing of a bill banning ByteDance-Owned TikTok in the US unless it is sold, reflecting broader concerns about tech companies' power and reach.

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