A recent report, Americans’ Use of Media and Technology and their views on Online Safety, Privacy, Content Moderation, and Independent News, looks at technology use and opinions…
On behalf of Free Press, the African American Research Collaborative (AARC) and BSP Research (BSP) completed a survey of 3,000 American adults to better understand how
Americans use media and technology to gain information, how they deal with misinformation and safety online, what privacy concerns they have about online platforms, what they believe are appropriate roles in content moderation, and whether they perceive a need for more independent
news sources in the current media and political environment.
At a high level, here’s what they found…
Americans’ Use of Media and Technology
- More than half of respondents spend 3 or more hours a day on their phone, with major time spent perusing Facebook, news, entertaining videos on YouTube, and answering work emails, texting, and making phone calls.
- More than half of respondents acknowledge that they watch television at least 3 hours a day.
Misinformation, Privacy and Safety- Americans are concerned that what they see online can be false or intended to confuse. They have become fact checkers and support legislation to educate kids to fact check online content.
- One third of respondents have been the victim of a data breach, computer virus, hack, or scam; while one in five indicate they have been a victim of identity theft.
- One third of Americans indicate they or someone they know has been bullied online; likely one reason 7 in 10 parents keep an eye on the online activities of their children.
- Americans have significant privacy concerns, with two thirds concerned that: tech companies or the government are tracking their online actions; their search history is being used to target personalized ads; and tech companies might sell their personal information for marketing purposes.
Moderation, Racism and Politics- By two to one, respondents believe that internet companies should not be forced by the government to share political content on their platforms.
- Majorities of Americans believe social media companies should be able to moderate against hateful or racist speech, even when that speech is part of a political ad.
- Americans do not want social media companies to sell their data to political campaigns or to profit from running political ads that contain purposely false information.
Public Need and Support for Independent News- Many Americans do not believe they have access to enough independent news sources to facilitate their full participation in elections.
- Just over half of Americans agree that more independent news outlets are needed for a healthy democracy and to stop disinformation.
- Six in ten respondents agree funding should be increased to build diversity in who owns and operates independent news sources.
- Most respondents believe newspapers should acknowledge racial bias in their historic news coverage.
The optimist in me appreciates that people recognize the need for greater discernment and digital skills.