Research background: The global nature of communication platforms is due to the fact that they are seen as a way to overcome state-controlled media and content. The current era is characterized by a high degree of polarization of society and an enormous increase in intolerance. Radical views are supported by the targeted presentation of minority views, social networks are perceived as a balancing force for less important individuals. Purpose of the article: The purpose of the contribution was to find and compare research conclusions related to social networks and their global social significance, especially in the context of manipulating the opinions of individuals and groups. We also confront these conclusions with the frequency of occurrences of key words in media and scientific publications. Methods: Heuristics and a comparison of the conclusions of available sources and subsequent synthesis were used for the contribution. At the same time, extreme and false information in the digital platforms environment was mapped and confronted with a confrontation with the dynamics of information dissemination. Findings and added value: The research conclusions and comparison with other sources confirm the strong radicalization of society and the increasing intolerance in society. Social networks have contributed in no small measure to this radicalization, mainly thanks to anonymity, but also, especially recently, in the form of targeted provocations and forgeries. The added value of the research is the heuristics performed on the ProQuest portal and in the Scholarly Journals databases.