ABSTRACT
This research engages a rapidly evolving conversation about platform accountability in American political life. Following the events of 2020 and early 2021, including a presidential election campaign, a global pandemic, nationwide social justice protests, an insurrection, and a failed dissident coup, this chapter investigates where social and digital media platforms stood in Americans’ civic and political lives. Using two rounds of representative survey data, one collected in the presidential swing state of Florida and one nationwide study, individuals were asked to offer their opinions of the actions social media platforms should take against political officials who post false, misleading, or dangerous content. Although clear patterns emerge in the data, the results also point to an absence of easy answers when it comes to questions of access, accountability, expression, and the influence of international corporate entities in political affairs.
