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Social Media Use and Political Polarization: Political Engagement as a Mediator

Author

Listed:
  • Kinza Amjad

    (Department of Media and Communication, University of Management and Technology, Lahore, Pakistan)

  • Muzammil Saeed

    (Department of Media and Communication, University of Management and Technology, Lahore, Pakistan)

  • Farahat Ali

    (Faculty of Media and Communication Studies, University of Central Punjab, Lahore, Pakistan)

  • Muhammad Awais

    (Department of Media and Communication, University of Management and Technology, Sialkot Campus, Pakistan)

Abstract

Social media, in the new millennium, has become a very effective tool of communication, information, and propagation regarding all social, religious, and political discourses that further lead towards ideological divisions. In the contemporary democratic world, the role of social media for political opinion building is obvious which is done by opinion leaders through political information and debates. The purpose of this study is to explore the social media use and political polarization among social media users. The survey research method was used to examine social media use for political engagement and political polarization. Private university students were selected as participants (n=350). The result was found positive which means that social media use is responsible for political polarization. Moreover, social media use is also a significant predictor of political engagement. In addition to this, the results show that political engagement is a mediator between the relationship between social media use and political polarization. The practical implications of the study have been discussed.

Suggested Citation

  • Kinza Amjad & Muzammil Saeed & Farahat Ali & Muhammad Awais, 2020. "Social Media Use and Political Polarization: Political Engagement as a Mediator," The Journal of Social Sciences Research, Academic Research Publishing Group, vol. 6(8), pages 804-810, 08-2020.
    • Handle: RePEc:arp:tjssrr:2020:p:804-810
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Charles S. Taber & Milton Lodge, 2006. "Motivated Skepticism in the Evaluation of Political Beliefs," American Journal of Political Science, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 50(3), pages 755-769, July.
    2. Matthew Gentzkow & Jesse M. Shapiro, 2011. "Ideological Segregation Online and Offline," The Quarterly Journal of Economics, President and Fellows of Harvard College, vol. 126(4), pages 1799-1839.
    3. Levi Boxell & Matthew Gentzkow & Jesse M. Shapiro, 2017. "Is the Internet Causing Political Polarization? Evidence from Demographics," NBER Working Papers 23258, National Bureau of Economic Research, Inc.
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