Can Social Media and Civil Discourse Coexist?

Can Social Media and Civil Discourse Coexist?

From Sandra Day O'Connor Institute by Sandra Day O'Connor Institute for American Democracy

February 26, 2026 · 58 min

About this episode

The episode discusses the coexistence of civil discourse and social media, featuring insights from experts on the impact of digital platforms on communication and civic engagement.

First released in 2021, this conversation feels increasingly relevant as social media continues to shape how Americans communicate, disagree, and connect. Monica Anderson of the Pew Research Center and Beau Kiniry of BuzzFeed explore whether civil discourse can coexist with today’s digital platforms—and how online speech influences relationships, public dialogue, and civic life. As polarization persists, the discussion invites listeners to reflect on how we engage with one another in the digi...

People in this episode

Guests: Monica Anderson, Beau Kiniry

Topics covered

  • social media
  • civil discourse
  • communication
  • polarization
  • public dialogue
  • civic life

Keywords

  • social media
  • civil discourse
  • communication
  • polarization
  • public dialogue
  • civic engagement

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: Pew Research Center, BuzzFeed

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