Across parties, Americans accept removal of false health info by social media companies, survey says

An overwhelming majority (72%) of Americans across political parties believe it is acceptable for social media platforms to remove inaccurate information about public health issues, according to a new opinion survey from Boston University.

The survey, designed by researchers at the Communication Research Center at the university’s College of Communication, found that Americans agreed on this across political divides, with 85% of Democrats, 70% of Independents, and 61% of Republicans approving of companies removing this kind of false content.

The same poll reveals that nearly two in three adults (63%) believe if social media posts spread unverified information about a public health issue, it is acceptable for independent fact-checking organizations to verify social media content. About the same percentage (65%) of Americans believe it’s acceptable for social media companies to lower the visibility of inaccurate information about public health issues on their apps and websites, known as “downranking.”

The integrity of public discourse is at risk as political leaders push the boundaries of truth,” says Michelle Amazeen, an associate professor at Boston University’s College of Communication and director of the Communication Research Center. “With social media companies abandoning their fact-checking programs, it is more urgent than ever for these platforms to take meaningful action, given their pivotal role in shaping the national conversation.”

In contrast, less than half (48%) of those surveyed support the “community notes” model where users write and rate notes that appear next to specific posts. Although there are some partisan differences—73% of Democrats, 62% of Independents, and 55% of Republicans favor a fact-checking model—the lukewarm reception of community notes crosses party lines.

“The results so far of social media platforms relying on users to rate the accuracy of posts are sobering,” Amazeen says. “Despite the presence of the community notes programs, social media platforms that use this model remain rife with misinformation.”

“Shifting content moderation responsibilities onto users is yet another instance of platforms avoiding their obligation to ensure the safety of their digital products,” she adds. “Neglecting content moderation puts social media platforms at risk of amplifying disinformation from those in power. Implementing effective accountability measures is crucial, particularly as a new administration with a track record of using disinformation as a tool assumes office.”

Survey Summary

Respondents to this month’s Media & Technology Survey were asked how much they agreed or disagreed with the following statements about social media, accuracy and public health:

If social media posts spread inaccurate information about a public health issue, I think it is acceptable for social media platforms to remove content.

Strongly Disagree: 6%
Disagree: 7%
Neither Agree or Disagree: 15%
Agree: 35%
Strongly Agree: 37%

If social media posts spread inaccurate information about a public health issue, I think it is acceptable for social media platforms to lower the visibility of content (e.g. downranking or limiting traffic to post).

Strongly Disagree: 6%
Disagree: 10%
Neither Agree or Disagree: 19%
Agree: 38%
Strongly Agree: 26%

If social media posts spread unverified information about a public health issue, I think it is acceptable for social media platforms to rely upon independent fact-checking organizations to verify the content.

Strongly Disagree: 6%
Disagree: 10%
Neither Agree or Disagree: 22%
Agree: 36%
Strongly Agree: 27%

If social media posts spread unverified information about a public health issue, I think it is acceptable for social media platforms to rely upon a community notes program to verify the content where users write and rate notes that appear next to specific posts.

Strongly Disagree: 7%
Disagree: 12%
Neither Agree or Disagree: 33%
Agree: 33%
Strongly Agree: 16%

If a Go-Fund Me/crowd-funded campaign was launched, I would be willing to donate $1 to fund independent fact-checking initiatives.

Strongly Disagree: 18%
Disagree: 18%
Neither Agree or Disagree: 32%
Agree: 21%
Strongly Agree: 11%

About the Media & Technology Survey

The Media & Technology Survey is an ongoing project of the Communication Research Center (CRC) at Boston University’s College of Communication. This month’s polls were conducted in English on January 15 to 16, 2025. This online survey has a credibility interval (CI) of plus or minus 3.5 percentage points. The data were weighted to the U.S. population data by region, gender, age and education. Statistical margins of error are not applicable to online polls. All sample surveys and polls may be subject to other sources of error, including, but not limited to coverage error and measurement error.