Global Survey Reveals Majority Support for Social Media Moderation to Combat Harmful Content

Global Survey Reveals Majority Support for Social Media Moderation to Combat Harmful Content

(IN BRIEF) A global survey conducted by the Technical University of Munich (TUM) and the University of Oxford revealed that the majority of social media users want content moderation to prevent harmful material, including violence and defamation. Most respondents favored safer platforms over unlimited freedom of expression, with a significant percentage supporting the removal of incitements to violence and hate speech. While opinions varied by country, the study showed widespread concern about digital abuse, with many users feeling that exposure to hate and intolerance online is unavoidable. The survey also explored who should be responsible for online safety, with differing views on whether platform operators, citizens, or governments should take the lead.

(PRESS RELEASE) MUNICH, 11-Feb-2025 — /EuropaWire/ — A recent global survey has revealed a widespread rejection of unrestricted freedom of expression on social media, with the majority of respondents advocating for moderation to prevent harmful content. The study, conducted by the Technical University of Munich (TUM) and the University of Oxford, gathered responses from around 13,500 individuals across 10 countries, including the USA, Brazil, Germany, and South Africa. The survey found that most people want social media platforms to remove content involving violence, threats, and defamation, with strong support for curbing hate speech.

The findings show a clear preference for moderated platforms, with 79% of respondents agreeing that incitements to violence should be removed. While the support for this stance was highest in Germany, Brazil, and Slovakia (86%), it was lower in the USA, where 63% of respondents also agreed. Only a small minority (14%) believed that online threats should be allowed to remain, with even fewer (17%) supporting the posting of offensive content aimed at criticizing certain groups.

The survey also examined users’ views on the balance between freedom of expression and protecting users from digital harm. Most respondents favored a safer online environment free from hate or misinformation, though opinions varied across regions. According to study leader Yannis Theocharis, “The majority in democracies want platforms that reduce hate speech and abuse, even in the USA, where freedom of speech has traditionally been prioritized.”

Additionally, respondents were asked about who should be responsible for ensuring online safety. While platform operators were seen as the main responsible parties by 35% of participants, 31% of people felt that individual citizens should bear more responsibility, and 30% believed that governments should play a leading role.

The survey also highlighted a concerning “acclimatization effect,” where 59% of participants felt that exposure to intolerance and hate on social media was unavoidable. This growing resignation, particularly in countries like South Africa and the USA, poses a challenge to maintaining healthy online discourse, according to the researchers.

Media Contact:

Corporate Communications Center
Klaus Becker
klaus.becker@tum.de
+49 89 289 22798
presse@tum.de

Contacts to this article:

Prof. Dr. Yannis Theocharis
Technical University of Munich (TUM)
Chair of Digital Governance
Tel.: +49 89 289 22798 (press office)
yannis.theocharis@hfp.tum.de

SOURCE: Technical University of Munich