EU Study Warns Social Media Undermines Democracy as Evidence of Authoritarian Threat Grows

A leading cognitive psychologist has warned that social media platforms are systematically undermining democratic institutions across Europe, citing mounting scientific evidence of their harmful effects. Stephan Lewandowsky from the University of Bristol made the warning in a commentary published in the prestigious journal Science, responding to an 80-page report from the European Commission's Joint Research Centre. The Joint Research Centre, which serves as the Commission's scientific advisory body and provides research to guide EU policy-making, documented how internet platforms and social networks are destabilizing democratic processes. Lewandowsky emphasized that concerns about social media's impact on democracy are no longer based on speculation but are now supported by substantial empirical evidence. He warned that without concrete action to address these platforms' negative influence, the European Union faces the risk of authoritarian governments gaining power through the manipulation of online information ecosystems.