29% Believe Social Media Companies Provide Neutral Platform

Posted on August 1, 2021 | by Scott Rasmussen

Just 29% of voters believe large social media companies like YouTube, Facebook, and Twitter provide a neutral platform for everyone to use. A Scott Rasmussen national survey found that 51% believe they give a preference to content they approve of and penalize content expressing different views. Twenty percent (20%) are not sure.

When viewing content on social media, 51% have been notified by their social media platform that the content provides information that may not be reliable. Thirty-three percent (33%) have not.

Nearly half of all voters (46%) say they personally know someone who has been temporarily or permanently banned from a social media platform. A nearly identical number–45%– do not.

Republicans, by a 66% to 19% margin, believe the social media companies give preference to content they like while Democrats are evenly divided on the question. Among Independent voters, just 25% believe social media companies provide a neutral platform while 48% take the opposite view.

Those with a postgraduate degree are evenly divided on the question. Most other voters believe the social media platforms penalize content expressing different views.

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Note: Neither Scott Rasmussen, ScottRasmussen.com, nor RMG Research, Inc. have any affiliation with Rasmussen Reports. While Scott Rasmussen founded that firm, he left more than seven years ago and has had no involvement since that time.

Methodology

The survey of 1,000 Registered Voters was conducted by Scott Rasmussen using a mixed mode approach from July 27-28, 2021. Field work for the survey was conducted by RMG Research, Inc. Most respondents were contacted online or via text while 232 were contacted using automated phone polling techniques. Online respondents were selected from a list of Registered Voters and through a process of Random Digital Engagement. Certain quotas were applied, and the sample was lightly weighted by geography, gender, age, race, education, internet usage, and political party to reasonably reflect the nation’s population of Registered Voters. Other variables were reviewed to ensure that the final sample is representative of that population.

42% Believe Social Media Undermines Culture, 34% Disagree

Posted on July 6, 2021 | by Scott Rasmussen

Forty-two percent (42%) of voters believe technology and social media companies like Facebook, Google and Twitter mostly undermine positive culture in America. A Scott Rasmussen national survey found that 34% disagree and believe these platforms build up positive culture. Twenty-four percent (24%) are not sure.

There is a massive partisan divide on this question. By a 61% to 16% margin, Republicans believe social media companies undermine positive culture. By a 46% to 28% margin, Democrats believe social media companies build up positive culture.

Forty-one percent (41%) of Independent voters believe the tech platforms undermine culture. Twenty-nine percent (29%) believe they build up culture.

A plurality (46%) of White voters think they undermine culture. A plurality of Black voters (40%) and majority of Hispanic voters (53%) take the opposite view.

Those with post-graduate degrees tend to see the impact of social media companies in a positive light. So do those who consider social media to be Very Important in their own life.

Those without a post-graduate degree and who attach less importance to social media tend to hold the opposite view.

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Methodology

The online survey of 1,000 Registered Voters was conducted by Scott Rasmussen on June 24-27, 2021. Field work for the survey was conducted by RMG Research, Inc. Certain quotas were applied, and the sample was lightly weighted by geography, gender, age, race, education, internet usage, and political party to reasonably reflect the nation’s population of Registered Voters. Other variables were reviewed to ensure that the final sample is representative of that population.

47% Believe Big Tech Companies Actively Supported Biden in 2020; 10% Say They Supported Trump

Posted on July 6, 2021 | by Scott Rasmussen

Forty-seven percent (47%) of voters believe Big Tech companies actively supported Joe Biden during the 2020 presidential election. A Scott Rasmussen national survey found that just 10% think they actively supported Donald Trump.

Twenty percent (20%) believe that the companies remained neutral and 23% are not sure.

In every measured demographic group, more voters believed that the companies supported Biden rather than Trump. Even Democrats, by a 3-to-1 margin, held that view.

Other data showed that 78% of voters believe tech companies like Twitter, Facebook, and Google could swing the results of the election to benefit their preferred candidate. Additionally, 62% believe technology companies have too much influence on our politics and political campaigns.

Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act gives big tech companies special immunity from prosecution for things posted on their platforms. Since they received this immunity from the government, 63% of voters believe they should they be required to abide by the 1st Amendment guarantee of free speech.

Sixty-eight percent (68%) of voters believe it is more important to ensure that social media companies operate fairly rather than protecting the companies from government interference. A Scott Rasmussen national survey found that 19% disagree and believe protecting social media companies from government interference is the higher priority.

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Methodology

78% Believe Tech Companies Could Swing Election to Candidate They Like

Posted on July 6, 2021 | by Scott Rasmussen

Seventy-eight percent (78%) of voters believe tech companies like Twitter, Facebook, and Google could swing the results of the election to benefit their preferred candidate. A Scott Rasmussen national survey found that just 10% found that prospect unlikely.

The totals include 47% who say it’s Very Likely they could swing an election and just 3% who say it’s Not at All Likely.

Eighty-two percent (82%) of Republicans believe the tech companies could swing an election. So do 82% of Democrats.

The survey also found that 62% believe technology companies have too much influence on our politics and political campaigns. Just 6% say they have too little influence. Nineteen percent (19%) believe the level of influence is about right.

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Methodology

68% Say Ensuring Social Media Fairness Tops Protecting Companies from Government Interference

Posted on July 5, 2021 | by Scott Rasmussen

Those who consider social media Very Important in their lives are evenly divided: 48% say ensuring fairness is most important while 44% want to protect the companies from government interference. Other voters overwhelmingly believe it is more important to ensure that social media companies operate fairly for every citizen.

Those with a post-graduate degree are also more likely than other voters to place a premium on protecting the social media companies from government interference.

Seventy-two percent (72%) of White voters believe fairness is more important. That view is shared by 56% of Black voters and 54% of Hispanic voters.

Overall, among all voters, 61% believe social media companies—which are private businesses—have an obligation to make positive contributions to our civic life. Just 20% disagree.

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Methodology

42% of Those Online Constantly Are Democrats, Just 27% Are Republicans

Posted on April 19, 2021 | by Scott Rasmussen

Among voters who are online almost constantly, 42% are Democrats. A Scott Rasmussen national survey found that 27% and 31% are unaffiliated with either major party.

This helps explain why so many social media platforms appear to be supportive of political views that are far more progressive than the nation at large. Among the rest of the nation’s voters, Republicans actually have a modest advantage. Thirty-six percent (36%) of those who aren’t constantly online align with the GOP. Just 32% align with the Democrats.

Not surprisingly, this result is reflected in Generic Congressional Ballot polling as well. Democrats enjoy a 17-point lead among those online constantly. The GOP has a slight advantage among all other voters.

The Pew Center recently reported that 31% of American adults are online almost constantly. The numbers are slightly higher among Registered Voters.

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Methodology

The survey of 1,200 Registered Voters was conducted by Scott Rasmussen using a mixed mode approach from April 15-17, 2021. Field work for the survey was conducted by RMG Research, Inc. Most respondents were contacted online or via text while 261 were contacted using automated phone polling techniques. Online respondents were selected from a list of Registered Voters and through a process of Random Digital Engagement. Certain quotas were applied, and the sample was lightly weighted by geography, gender, age, race, education, internet usage, and political party to reasonably reflect the nation’s population of Registered Voters. Other variables were reviewed to ensure that the final sample is representative of that population.

39% Believe It’s Appropriate for Companies To Leave State Over Laws Unrelated to the Business

Posted on April 6, 2021 | by Scott Rasmussen

Thirty-nine percent (39%) of U.S. Adults believe it is appropriate for a company to leave a state because it disapproves of laws completely unrelated to their business. A Scott Rasmussen national survey found that 41% take the opposite view and believe that such a decision is not appropriate. Twenty percent (20%) are not sure.

A plurality of Democrats (47%) believes it is appropriate for a business to leave the state over unrelated issues. A plurality of Republicans (48%) takes the opposite view. Among Independent voters, 33% consider it appropriate while 42% disagree.

One interesting divide is found along ideological lines. People with strong political convictions are more likely to approve of a company leaving the state over laws unrelated to the business. Fifty four percent (54%) of Very Liberal adults think it’s appropriate as do 49% of Very Conservative voters.

However, just 39% of those with Somewhat Liberal views agree, along with 33% of Moderates and 31% of those with Somewhat Conservative views.

Other data shows that solid majorities consider it is appropriate for businesses to leave a state for other reasons. Sixty-six percent (66%) think it’s appropriate to move if another state has a lower cost of living; 60% say it’s appropriate to leave because the state’s taxes are too high; and, 59% say it’s appropriate if the company disapproves of laws directly affecting the business.

Data released earlier showed that 66% of adults believe companies should avoid taking positions on political issues. Another 8% thought it appropriates for companies to weigh in on topics related to their businesses. Twenty-five percent (25%) believe it is better for businesses to clearly express their views on a wide variety of issues.

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Methodology

The online survey of 1,000 U.S. Adults was conducted by Scott Rasmussen from April 2-5, 2021. Field work for the survey was conducted by RMG Research, Inc. Respondents were selected from through a process of Random Digital Engagement. Certain quotas were applied, and the sample was lightly weighted by geography, gender, age, race, education, and political party to reasonably reflect the nation’s population. Other variables were reviewed to ensure that the final sample is representative of that population.

71% Think Conservatives, Liberals Will Eventually Have Separate Social Media Platforms

Posted on February 23, 2021 | by Scott Rasmussen

In the 1960s and ’70s, three major television networks (CBS, NBC, and ABC) dominated the media landscape. They provided a common base of entertainment and news programming shared by most of the nation. But with the arrival of cable television and then the internet, countless competitors divided up the media landscape serving niche audiences in a way that has now become familiar.

Seventy-one percent (71%) of voters think the social media industry may follow a similar path. They think it’s likely that Republicans and Democrats, conservatives and liberals will eventually rely upon different social media companies. A Scott Rasmussen national survey found that just 14% consider that outcome unlikely. They expect large social media companies like Facebook and Twitter to continue commanding a mass audience.

Those figures include 34% who believe it’s Very Likely the social media world will fragment in this manner and 5% who say it’s Not at All Likely.

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Methodology

The survey of 1,200 Registered Voters was conducted by Scott Rasmussen using a mixed mode approach from February 18-20, 2021. Field work for the survey was conducted by RMG Research, Inc. Most respondents were contacted online or via text while 212 were contacted using automated phone polling techniques. Online respondents were selected from a list of Registered Voters and through a process of Random Digital Engagement. Certain quotas were applied, and the sample was lightly weighted by geography, gender, age, race, education, and political party to reasonably reflect the nation’s population of Registered Voters. Other variables were reviewed to ensure that the final sample is representative of that population.

49% Believe Restricting Free Speech Worse Than Spreading Fake News, 38% Disagree

Posted on February 10, 2021 | by Scott Rasmussen

Forty-nine percent (49%) of voters worry more about giving the federal government power to restrict free speech than about the dangers of spreading fake news and disinformation. A Scott Rasmussen national survey found that 38% disagree and worry more about fake news. Thirteen percent (13%) are not sure.

The survey results highlight significant partisan and ideological differences. Republicans, by a 60% to 34% margin, are more worried about giving the federal government power to restrict free speech and determine which news is appropriate to publish. Independent voters, by a 46% to 33% margin, tend to share that view. Democrats, however, are divided on the question. A narrow plurality (46%) worry more about fake news while 41% are more concerned about restricting free speech.

Ideologically, most conservatives are more worried about restricting free speech. Moderate and Somewhat Liberal voters are divided, but narrowly express a greater concern about restricting free speech. Very Liberal voters take the opposite view. By a 49% to 39% margin, those voters worry more about the spread of fake news and disinformation.

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Methodology

The survey of 1,200 Registered Voters was conducted by Scott Rasmussen using a mixed mode approach from February 4-6, 2021. Field work for the survey was conducted by RMG Research, Inc. Most respondents were contacted online or via text while 197 were contacted using automated phone polling techniques. Online respondents were selected from a list of Registered Voters and through a process of Random Digital Engagement. Certain quotas were applied, and the sample was lightly weighted by geography, gender, age, race, education, and political party to reasonably reflect the nation’s population of Registered Voters. Other variables were reviewed to ensure that the final sample is representative of that population.