Pew: Social Media Users with Unpopular Opinions are Less Likely to Speak Out

Contrary to popular belief, social media does not give those with minority opinions a venue for speaking out.

social media users

According to a new report from the Pew Research Center, social media users with unpopular political opinions are less likely to speak out on social platforms and in real life. This is in contrast to the commonly-held belief that social networks give those with minority opinions a venue for their thoughts.

The report references the “spiral of silence,” a theory in communications that explains how people with unpopular opinions remain silent, fearing social isolation.

The survey questioned 1,801 Americans and focused on the polarizing issue of Edward Snowden’s 2013 leaks about surveillance and privacy.

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