Social media has transformed the world in the 21st century. By connecting people across the planet, proponents argue, platforms such as Facebook and Twitter have helped lead a digital revolution, providing tools that foster global friendships, break down long-standing barriers that kept people and ideas from being heard, and given citizens everywhere access to a broad spectrum of news and information. Social media may be free, critics argue, but it comes with a cost, including a rise in political propaganda, fake stories, and threats to personal privacy. Rather than uniting and informing people, they charge, social media deepens political and social divisions and erodes trust in the democratic process. Is social media good for democracy?
