A new survey of more than 20,000 Americans has found a correlation between increased social media use and declining support for democratic governance.

The poll results indicate that individuals who spend more time on social media platforms are less likely to view democracy as the optimal form of government compared to those with lower usage patterns.

The findings add to growing concerns about social media's impact on civic engagement and democratic institutions. Previous research has examined how online platforms can influence political views and participation in democratic processes.

The survey represents one of the larger studies to examine the relationship between digital media consumption and attitudes toward democratic governance among American adults. However, the research does not establish whether social media use directly causes changes in political beliefs or whether other factors may explain the observed correlation.

The results come as policymakers and researchers continue to study the effects of digital platforms on political discourse and democratic participation in the United States.