Political Attacks on Social Media Fuel Anger and Cynicism

Author: University of Michigan
Published: 12 Mar 2024 - Updated: 4 Nov 2026
Publication Type: Research / Study Analysis

Table of Contents:
Synopsis - Definition - Overview - FAQs - Insights, Updates - Related Content

Synopsis

This research from the University of Michigan, published in 2024 in the International Journal of Press/Politics, used a panel survey of 1,800 American adults during the 2020 presidential election to test whether political attacks seen on social media are linked to political cynicism. People who reported seeing more attacks were more cynical about politics, and the link ran mainly through anger about the state of the country rather than anxiety. The authors define cynicism as a deep distrust of political actors that goes beyond healthy skepticism and can lead people to withdraw from democratic life or turn to fringe movements. The findings matter to voters, educators and policymakers, including disabled people and seniors who rely on social media for news and whose access to services often depends on public trust in government.*

At a Glance

• 1 - Anger, not anxiety, was the emotion that linked attacks to cynicism.
• 2 - Algorithms tend to reward and spread attacks because they drive engagement.
• 3 - The authors say social media use itself is not the problem, but how people use it.
• 4 - Unfollowing accounts that stir up hostility and seeking civil discussion were suggested as ways to break the cycle.

Topic Definition

Political Cynicism

Political cynicism is a deep and general distrust of politicians, governments and political institutions, rooted in the belief that those in power act mainly out of self-interest or corruption rather than for the public good. It differs from healthy skepticism, which questions specific claims or actions, because cynicism rejects political actors and processes as a whole and is linked to lower trust, withdrawal from voting and greater openness to extreme alternatives.

Overview

Political anger and cynicism are rising in the United States and in many democracies worldwide, and both are associated with exposure to political attacks on social media, a new University of Michigan study shows.

Americans use social media to find information and news about politics, but much of the content they see in their feeds is hostile, uncivil and attacking, said lead author Ariel Hasell, assistant professor of communication and media and an affiliate of the Center for Political Studies at the U-M Institute for Social Research.

Hasell and colleagues investigated whether exposure to political attacks on social media is associated with political cynicism, and if so, whether emotions like anger and anxiety play a role in this process.

They found that people who were exposed to more political attacks on social media were more politically cynical, and that perceived exposure to these attacks was associated with more anger about the state of the U.S., which was subsequently related to greater levels of political cynicism.

Their results, based on a panel survey of 1,800 American adults fielded during the 2020 election, were published in 2024 in the International Journal of Press/Politics.

"It's important to understand how feelings of cynicism emerge because we're seeing many democratic governments facing crises of legitimacy," Hasell said. "Our findings provide some of the first evidence of how exposure to political attacks on social media might relate to political cynicism in the context of a U.S. presidential election."

Cynicism in a Democracy

Hasell and colleagues define political cynicism as an attitude that's rooted in distrust of political actors' motivations. It goes further than healthy skepticism, they say, because it involves wholesale rejection of people and processes in democracy, and an underlying belief that politicians are guided by corrupt, self-serving, personal interests, rather than service to the public good.

"Cynicism can be a rational response to actual corruption and breaches of trust by those in power," said Audrey Halversen, doctoral student in the Department of Communication and Media. "But it is a matter of concern among scholars of democracy because of its potential to delegitimize democratic processes, reinforce negative attitudes, distort people's interpretations of political information, and cause some citizens to withdraw from politics."

Pew Research Center polls show the American public's confidence in government has reached its lowest point in decades, and perceptions that self-interest and corruption are guiding government action have bred cynicism across the political spectrum. The U-M study tested the theory that this increase in cynicism might be linked to political social media use.

Social Media Influence

Political content on social media is often toxic, and political hostility was expected to surge online in the run-up to the 2024 presidential election, Hasell said.

Prior research has shown that political attacks communicated by independent actors (rather than candidates) can be especially influential in shaping political beliefs. Social media algorithms reward and amplify attacks precisely because they're engaging. Studies show this makes outrage more potent and visible, giving users a warped view of what the public believes.

"If your main source of news is social media, you are more likely to perceive politics as hostile and angry," Hasell said. "And beyond the feelings that political attacks provoke, it matters how people perceive and read the temperature of 'public emotions' because this can impact assessments about the country's well-being and its ability to solve problems and accomplish goals."

The panel survey in the U-M study asked participants about their social media usage and whether they had been exposed to political attacks against Trump and Republicans, or against Biden and Democrats, on social media. It included a set of questions to measure political cynicism among respondents, and asked about their feelings about the state of the U.S. as a country.

Anger and Anxiety

Public anger in American politics has reached a fevered pitch in the last decade, and data show it is rising among American voters heading into the 2024 presidential election, the first since the Jan. 6 attack on the Capitol.

A 2019 NBC/Wall Street Journal poll found nearly 7 in 10 Americans reported being angry about the political establishment and a 2023 survey by the Public Religion Research Institute showed that about a quarter of Americans agree that "true American patriots may have to resort to violence in order to save our country." This is up from 15% in 2021.

Anxiety is another negative emotion, which can be elicited by uncertainty, risk aversion and threats, especially if they are vague, unknown or perceived to be beyond one's control, the researchers said. Political fearmongering and social media toxicity can drive anxiety during a presidential election by creating uncertainty about political outcomes and by creating a generalized sense of political hostility that is beyond an individual's control.

"Negative emotions are not necessarily bad for democracy," Hasell said. "Emotions like anxiety and anger can drive people to the polls, motivate advocacy, and get people to seek and think more deeply about political information. But relentless negativity about the state of a country 'under threat' can also make people frustrated, disgruntled and disengaged. Anger can affect our ability to see things as they are, and make measured decisions that are important in a democracy."

A Concerning Cycle

The study found evidence that exposure to political attacks on social media contributes to anxiety, anger and political cynicism, but that anger is the emotion that relates to cynicism.

"As more people turn to social media for news and information, it's likely that they'll be more repeatedly exposed to political attacks, which may further promote political cynicism," Hasell said. "This is concerning because cynicism can make it harder for people to make sense of political information. It can lead people down a road of apathy and disengagement, or toward fringe parties and antidemocratic forms of participation."

Can citizens who use social media do anything to break that pattern?

"An easy way to avoid getting angry and cynical is to be mindful about focusing on non-hostile, civil dialogue," Hasell said. "If you are seeing a lot of hostility in your social media, you can think about re-curating and unfollowing people who are fomenting this kind of hostility. We don't find that social media use in itself is making people angry and cynical, it has to do with how we decide to use it."

Brian Weeks of the U-M Department of Communication and Media and Center for Political Studies at the Institute for Social Research was also a co-author on the Michigan study.

Frequently Asked Questions

NOTE: Researched FAQs by Disabled World (DW)

Is political skepticism the same as cynicism?

No, skepticism means questioning claims and asking for evidence, which is healthy in a democracy. Cynicism assumes bad motives in advance and rejects the system as a whole.

How can I reduce political anger from social media?

You can mute or unfollow accounts that post mainly attacks, limit how long you scroll, and get news from a few trusted outlets that explain issues rather than inflame them.

Do social media algorithms favor angry content?

Research suggests that posts expressing outrage or attacking opponents tend to get more likes and shares, which can lead platforms to show them to more people.

Does political cynicism affect voter turnout?

Studies link high cynicism to lower trust and, in some groups, lower turnout, although anger can also motivate some people to vote.

How can people tell if political content online is reliable?

Check who created it, look for the same story from established news outlets, see whether sources are named, and be cautious with content designed to provoke strong emotions.

Why does political trust matter to people with disabilities?

Many people with disabilities rely on public programs and services, so low trust and political gridlock can slow improvements or put existing support at risk.

What is a panel survey?

A panel survey asks the same group of people questions at several points in time, which helps researchers see how attitudes change and what may be linked to those changes.

Can taking a break from social media improve well-being?

Some studies have found that short breaks from social media can lower stress and improve mood, though effects vary from person to person.

Insights, Analysis, and Developments

Editorial Note: Political feeds are built to hold attention, and few things hold attention like outrage, so it is not surprising that heavy exposure leaves people angrier and less trusting. The Michigan study is careful to say that anger can also motivate voting and advocacy, but that a steady diet of attacks risks turning engagement into disengagement. For disability communities, which depend on public programs and on lawmakers being willing to work together, widespread cynicism can make it harder to defend benefits or win accessibility reforms. Choosing news sources deliberately, following accounts that explain rather than attack, and checking claims before sharing them are practical habits that can help readers stay informed without being worn down.*

Attribution/Source(s): This quality-reviewed publication was selected for publishing by the editors of Disabled World (DW) due to its relevance to the disability community. Originally issued as a press release by University of Michigan and published on 12 Mar 2024. Last updated on 4 Nov 2026. This content may have been edited for style, clarity, or brevity.

* Editorial additions by Ian C. Langtree.