Unpacking the Use of Social Media for Protest Behavior

TLDR

Recent studies link frequent social media use to higher political participation, yet the mechanisms remain unclear. The study investigates three mechanisms—information, opinion expression, and activism—by which social media use may influence protest behavior. The authors analyze 2011 Chilean survey data collected during large-scale demonstrations to test these mechanisms. Results show that opinion expression and activism mediate the link between overall social media use and protest participation, highlighting digital platforms as facilitators of direct political action.

Abstract

Recent studies have shown a positive link between frequency of social media use and political participation. However, there has been no clear elaboration of how using social media translates into increased political activity. The current study examines three explanations for this relationship in the context of citizens’ protest behavior: information (social media as a source for news), opinion expression (using social media to express political opinions), and activism (joining causes and finding mobilizing information through social media). To test these relationships, the study uses survey data collected in Chile in 2011, amid massive demonstrations demanding wholesale changes in education and energy policy. Findings suggest that using social media for opinion expression and activism mediates the relationship between overall social media use and protest behavior. These findings deepen our knowledge of the uses and effects of social media and provide new evidence on the role of digital platforms as facilitators of direct political action.