Social media's influence has been greatly exaggerated

A look at the data, theory, and research on how social media actually influences our politics.

This comparison is preposterous, but its popularity among liberals marks just how unhinged their anxiety over social media has become. There is seemingly no take on social media’s political influence that is so extreme that it will get any pushback from liberal audiences. One equally popular post declares social media “the biggest problem on earth right now”; Brian Beutler, on his Substack, insists that it is “ruling the nation.”

Anyone who was around during the most recent Democratic presidential losses (in 2004 and 2016) should have no trouble recognizing where this discourse is coming from. When Democrats lose it cannot possibly be because Americans have rejected their politics and policies; instead it must be manipulation by the mass media. In 2004 it was Fox News that was responsible for John Kerry’s loss; in 2016 it was Russian memes on Facebook. Now it’s social media writ large.

I don’t mean to dismiss entirely the idea that various media sources influence our politics — of course they do — but some perspective is badly needed here.