When people learn that the loudest voices are not the majority, their trust and sense of social cohesion can improve. That shift isn’t about ignoring real harms or downplaying the need for better moderation. It’s about recognizing where interventions will be most effective and where positive norms already exist, so efforts to foster healthier online spaces can be targeted and fair.
Understanding who drives toxicity online connects directly to how we shape more inclusive public conversations. If platforms, policymakers, and everyday users focus on the concentrated sources of harm and reinforce the quieter, constructive majority, online spaces can better support learning, creativity, and civic life. Click through to see how this research links to strategies for strengthening social trust and expanding human potential.
People think online platforms are overflowing with toxic and misleading content, but the reality is far calmer. A small group of highly active users creates most of the harm, while the majority remain relatively civil. Still, many Americans assume the worst about each other because of this imbalance. Correcting that belief can noticeably improve how people feel about society.
