How much does social media influence people's opinions today?

I'd say social media has a huge influence on people's opinions today, especially among younger generations. The main reason is that platforms like Douyin and WeChat dominate how people consume information - it's so convenient that many don't even check other sources. For example, in my work as a UI designer, I've noticed how viral design trends on Xiaohongshu suddenly become what all clients want, even if those styles don't always suit their actual needs. That said, I think people are becoming more aware of this influence - many of my colleagues now consciously limit their social media time to avoid being swayed too much by trending opinions.