As the 2026 midterm elections loom, social media is playing a rapidly increasing role in how people get their news and how politicians direct their campaigns. While the widespread use of platforms like X, Instagram, TikTok and others helps people stay informed about current events, it can also simplify dialogue and lead to the spread of polarized ideas.
Social media algorithms are designed to promote what gets people to react. Any engagement, whether negative or positive, boosts the content and helps it to reach more people. Social media thus spreads radical ideas much more than traditional news sources because they incite reactions in people. On both sides of the political spectrum, there is a strong correlation between high social media usage and doubt in democracy. According to a 2025 Gallup poll, only 57% of US adults who spend five hours on social media each day consider democracy the best form of government, while over 70% of those who use social media for less than an hour per day see democracy as the best government structure.
Political news influencers play a large role in this trend of radicalization. According to a Pew Research study, 21% of adults regularly watch content from news influencers, a broad category referring to anyone posting on social media platforms with a following of over 100,000. The figure for younger adults, those under 30, is even higher. These influencers are sometimes connected with reputable news organizations but are often working independently and focused on their own interests.
When asked about the reliability of these influencers compared to traditional media outlets, Assistant Dean of Students Ackim Mpofu said, “With political influencers, you are getting information that has [already] been analyzed maybe four times.” Without a journalistic background, news influencers are often not as adept at sifting through facts and examining multiple perspectives, instead filtering through what has already been said by others to match their narrative. After all of the repeated analysis, “you are really getting a personal opinion based on where that influencer falls on the political spectrum.”
Social media does advance public access to information in some ways and contributes to a growing sense of democratic involvement. In the same Gallup poll, higher social media usage correlated with a belief that one’s perspectives were shared and valued by others. It is also linked to a firmer belief in the effectiveness of civic engagement and activism. Only 30% of nonusers felt that everyday people have the power to drive change, while 44% of heavy users thought they could make a difference. This suggests that social media usage actually boosts democratic participation, a sign of a healthy political system despite the doubts it summons in some users.
Even some of the prior criticisms of news influencers are countered by the fact that the political discourse they encourage is a sign of a healthy democracy. Even though many of these influencers promote personal beliefs, dialogue is what moves politics forward. “The whole point of democracy is allowing people to express their opinions,” Mpofu said. He thought restricting news influencers over fears of biased reporting is unwise. For Mpofu, the real challenge worth addressing is “educating people” and addressing the need for “questioning or critically thinking” about what they hear online.