Inquiry into the influence and impacts of social media on Australian society

ANA’s research confirms that social media is a key place for arts and culture participation and engagement.

As such, the impacts of social media and regulation of social media extend beyond the specified areas in the terms of reference to also include social cohesion, for example.

ANA’s national focus group research shows that:

• middle Australians think arts and culture are the building blocks of community, connection and place, and therefore to social cohesion.
• middle Australians consider social media such as Facebook, Instagram and TikTok to be key places for arts and culture engagement and participation. Noting cost of living pressures, ANA also highlights that social media are typically also free and affordable places for arts and culture activity.
• middle Australians across all age cohorts see creating and sharing arts and culture content via social media platforms are arts and culture activities. In addition, younger middle Australians see digital engagement, including via social media, as ubiquitous and totally embedded into their lives.