. What factor decides whether social media strengthens or weakens democracy, as per the passage? Read the following passage and answer the questions based on the passage:
The rapid expansion of social media has reshaped democratic life in profound ways, functioning at once as a driver of public participation and a channel for strategic deception. Platforms such as Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram, once viewed mainly as spaces for personal sharing, have evolved into major arenas of political conversation. They allow citizens to voice opinions, rally around causes, and hold those in power accountable almost instantly. Since democracy depends on the circulation of ideas and information, social media appears to broaden access by weakening the control once exercised by traditional gatekeepers. Political figures can address voters directly without editorial mediation, and citizen-led movements can use viral momentum to bring neglected concerns into public focus. In moments of high political intensity—elections, mass protests, policy disputes—these platforms operate like a modern digital marketplace of ideas, enabling wider involvement than was previously possible through newspapers or public meetings. Yet this openness carries serious risks. The same networks that spread accurate information can also accelerate falsehoods, deepen polarization, and strengthen echo chambers through algorithmic reinforcement. In several democracies, electoral processes have been challenged by fake profiles, coordinated harassment, and organized disinformation efforts. Further, content designed to trigger emotion and maximize engagement often overshadows careful reasoning, turning political discussion into a noisy stream of anger and extremes. Hence, the influence of social media on democracy depends not only on technology, but also on the ethical rules that shape its use. Strong oversight, public media awareness, and transparency in how algorithms rank and recommend content are crucial if societies wish to gain the benefits while limiting the damage. Ultimately, social media is not automatically beneficial or harmful—it reflects collective choices. Whether it strengthens democratic stability or fuels distortion depends on how responsibly it is used by citizens, institutions, and the platforms themselves.

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1. The passage says social media can both help and harm democracy.
2. It lists harms (falsehoods, polarization) and remedies (oversight, media awareness, transparency).
3. It says the influence depends on rules and how people and platforms use it.
4. So the deciding factor is ethical use driven by societal intent.
FINAL_ANSWER: c

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