The Effects of SNS Use on Chinese Young Citizens’ Online Political Participation: A Perspective From Citizen Communication Mediation Model

• In Event: Online Politics and Youth Political Engagement

Abstract

There has already been a particular focus in the extant literature on the potential of the new ICTs in facilitating citizens to be more engaged in politics and public affairs, especially for the younger ‘‘Internet-generation’’ . In keeping with this trend, this study was devoted to seeking empirical evidences for whether or not SNS use could increase online political engagement among Chinese young citizens. Specifically, two aspects of SNS use were differentiated to examine their possible effects, respectively. To answer our central question, we employed the theoretical framework from citizen communication mediation model and analyzed the data collected from online users (N=969) in Renren, the biggest SNS website in mainland China.

Author

• Yu Xu, Tsinghua University