Disagreement and Democracy in the Digital Age

• In Event: 2207 - Section on Communication, Information Technologies, and Media Sociology Refereed Roundtable Session
  In Refereed Roundtable 60min: Table 09. Digital Discourse

Abstract

Social networking sites are arguably reshaping how youth participate in civics and politics today, but little is known about how youth navigate cross-cutting conversations with different-minded others online. Based on in-depth interviews, this study examines the communicative strategies young civic actors employ to talk politics across lines of difference on social media. Applying Hirschman (1970) to informal political talk, this study focuses on young people’s “voice” and “exit” strategies in cross-cutting conversations. Findings suggest that civic youth are well-versed in elements of rational deliberative discourse (Habermas, 1991). However, youth appear to struggle when it comes to relational discourse that emphasizes reciprocity and ethical listening (Bakhtin, 1981). Youth tended to exit from conversations with different-minded others on social media. The low barrier for exit from cross-cutting encounters online, combined with various psychosocial, dispositional factors, raises concerns about premature exits from democratic engagement online.

Author

• Ashley Lee