A new survey found that one in five American young people believe the Holocaust did not happen, according to a shocking poll. The survey was conducted by The Economist and YouGov, and included 1,500 people ranging in age from 18 to over 65 who were asked about the massacre of six million Jews. About 20 percent of those aged 18 to 29 agreed with the statement “The Holocaust is a myth,” and there were more people who believed the number of victims was exaggerated.
Negative Effects of Social Media
The results correlate with data showing that 32 percent of this age group get their news from the TikTok app, where misinformation and anti-Semitism have persisted over the years – the app has previously launched campaigns to combat these issues. This survey comes amid concerns that universities have become breeding grounds for anti-Semitism, prompting Congress to launch investigations into Harvard University, the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, and the University of Pennsylvania after their leaders failed to condemn students calling for the extermination of Jews.
Beliefs by Age and Political Affiliation
The survey also showed that 20 percent of people aged 18 to 29 believe the Holocaust is a myth, compared to 8 percent of those aged 30 to 40. However, none of the participants over 65 years old agreed with this statement. In addition to age, the survey also included race data – with 13 percent of Black respondents agreeing with the statement. In another survey, 23 percent of people aged 18 to 29 agreed with the statement “The Holocaust was exaggerated,” and 26 percent neither agreed nor disagreed.
Impact of Social Media and the Gaza War
The Economist noted that social media may play a role in this context, citing a survey by the Pew Research Center in 2022 that found Americans under 30 generally trust what they see on social media platforms. This survey comes amid the war in Gaza following an unprecedented attack by Hamas in Israel on October 7, which resulted in more than 1,200 deaths and the capture of over 240 hostages. Israel launched fighter jets after the attacks, bombing the Gaza Strip, and the Hamas-run health ministry reported that it had killed more than 17,700 people since October. In response, Israel vowed to eliminate Hamas from Gaza and launched subsequent air and ground campaigns.
This survey comes just days after members of the Senate introduced a bill to re-fund the federal government for the “Never Again” Holocaust education act. Nevada Senator Jackie Rosen (Democrat) stated, “Failing to educate students about the severity and scope of the Holocaust is an inappropriate disservice to the memory of its victims and our duty to prevent such atrocities in the future.”
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