Wednesday 09 April 2025
The smartphone revolution has been touted as a game-changer for modern society, bringing unprecedented connectivity and access to information to our fingertips. But a new study suggests that this very same revolution may be having some unintended consequences on our democracy.
According to the research, the rapid spread of smartphones worldwide has led to a decline in fertility rates, a backsliding of democracy, and an increase in populist politics. Yes, you read that right – the device that’s supposed to bring us closer together may actually be driving us further apart.
The study cites data from 30 countries with populations over 50 million residents, showing a rapid decline in total fertility rates (TFR) since 2015. In fact, the average TFR has dropped by more than 20% in just nine years, with some countries experiencing declines of up to 35%. This trend is not limited to developed nations either – even developing countries are seeing significant drops in fertility rates.
So what’s behind this sudden decline? The researchers suggest that it may be linked to the democratization of information access brought about by smartphones. With an endless stream of information at our fingertips, people are no longer relying on traditional media and political parties for their news and opinions. Instead, they’re turning to social media and other online sources – which can often be biased, misleading, or downright false.
This shift has led to a breakdown in the traditional gatekeeping function of political parties, allowing populist politicians to rise to power by appealing directly to voters through social media. The result is a proliferation of extremist and anti-establishment ideologies that are eroding trust in democracy itself.
But it’s not just fertility rates that are being affected – the study also suggests that democracy itself is under threat. The researchers point to a decline in democratic institutions, such as the rule of law and protection of minority rights, as well as an increase in authoritarian tendencies among politicians.
So what can be done to mitigate these effects? The researchers suggest that it may be necessary to develop new norms for online discourse, such as fact-checking and media literacy programs. They also recommend increasing transparency and accountability in political advertising on social media platforms.
Ultimately, the study serves as a warning about the unintended consequences of technological progress. While smartphones have brought many benefits, we must be aware of their potential downsides – including the erosion of democracy itself.
In recent years, there has been growing concern about the impact of technology on society.
Cite this article: “The Smartphone Shock: How the Information Revolution is Upending Democracy Worldwide”, The Science Archive, 2025.
Smartphones, Democracy, Fertility Rates, Social Media, Populist Politics, Information Access, Online Discourse, Fact-Checking, Media Literacy, Technological Progress
Reference: Mikhail V. Tamm, “Did smartphones break the world as we knew it?” (2025).
