Living in the Smartphone Age: Examining the Conditional Indirect Effects of Mobile Phone Use on Political Participation

• In Event: Locative Mobile Issues

Abstract

Employing original survey data, this study examined how mobile phone communication is associated with political participation. Findings revealed that informational use of mobile phone and mobile-based political talk are positively associated with political participation. Specifically, using a mobile smartphone for news and information leads to increased levels of political participation through mobile-mediated political discussion. More importantly, we found gaps in political participation between individuals with higher and lower education levels: education significantly moderates the mediating relationship, with more educated individuals showing a stronger effect of mobile phone use for news/information on political participation through mobile-mediated political discussion.

Authors

• Yonghwan Kim, U of Alabama

• Hsuan-Ting Chen, The Chinese University of Hong Kong

• Yuan Wang, U of Alabama