Americans Most Concerned About Tech's Impact On Media

A recent YouGov poll finds that Americans are especially likely to have noticed major technological shifts in the areas of communication, media, and entertainment.

And while technology-induced changes are generally more likely to be viewed positively than negatively, there are some sectors — such as media and politics — where technology is more often seen as detrimental than beneficial. In terms of Americans' specific worries regarding the future of tech, we find that large majorities are at least somewhat concerned about its influence on elections, the spread of misinformation, and a loss of privacy.

The poll asked Americans to rate the extent to which the technology industry has changed the way 10 sectors operate. At least two-thirds of people say that technology has changed — either a great deal or somewhat — the way each of the sectors asked about operate. The share who say technology's impact has been "great" varies across sectors from more than half to about one-third. The biggest impacts are seen in communication (58% say "a great deal"), media (58%), and entertainment (49%).

The poll also asked whether Americans are concerned about 20 issues relating to the U.S. technology industry. (Each respondent was asked about a randomly selected sample of 15 of the 20.) Majorities of Americans say they're at least "somewhat concerned" about each of the 20 issues — though some issues are more likely to be seen as "very" concerning. 

The largest shares say they're very concerned about the use of technology to influence elections and the spread of misinformation through social media. About half also are very concerned about privacy generally, and nearly as many are very concerned about the lack of regulation on data collection and usage. Large numbers are also at least somewhat concerned about the impact of technology on children's development, and the possibility of more people, in general, becoming addicted to tech. 

The issues polled that Americans express the least concern about are technology's effects on income inequality and on the environment — but more than half are at least somewhat concerned about each.