NEW DELHI: Digital media can foster liberation, democratisation and participation but can also play an important role in eroding democracy, a recent research suggested.
A study titled “A systematic review of worldwide causal and correlational evidence on digital media and democracy” published by Nature said that while social media use is linked to an increase in political engagement, it can also lead polarisation, populism and distrust in institutions.
The research, which reviewed almost 500 studies across different platforms around the globe, found both positive as well as negative effects of social media.
“On the positive side, we found digital media use relates to higher political engagement and greater diversity of news exposure. For example, a study in Taiwan found information-oriented social media use increased political participation. However, this was only true if the user believed an individual can influence politics through online actions,” it said.
However, on the negative side, it found considerable evidence for effects of social media, such as fostering polarisation and populism, and reducing trust in institutions.
“The effects on trust in institutions and media were particularly pronounced. During the pandemic, digital media use has been shown to be associated with Covid-19 vaccine hesitancy,” it said.
Political polarisation
The study noted that a key negative outcome of social media use, in a range of political contexts and on various platforms, appears to be increased political polarisation.
“We found increased polarisation was also linked to exposure to opposing viewpoints in one’s social media feeds. In other words, being exposed to the words of political opponents did not bridge the political divide. Rather it seemed to amplify it,” it said.
It said that high digital media use was for the most part linked to higher levels of polarisation. However, the study also found some evidence for balanced online discourse without pronounced patterns of polarization1as well as evidence for potentially depolarising tendencies.
Violence
Meanwhile, studies in Austria, Sweden and Australia found evidence for an association between increased social media use and online right-wing radicalisation.
Studies in Germany and Russia provided causal evidence that digital media can increase the incidence of ethnic hate crimes.
It said there was a causal evidence that digital media can propagate ethnic hate crimes in both democratic and authoritarian countries.
Impact on democracy
The study said there are no simple answers to the question whether the internet is a liberation technology or social media incompatible with democracy.
It said that there is definitely evidence that digital media impacts political behaviour globally.
“This evidence warrants concern about the adverse impacts of social media on democracy,” it said.
It noted that despite positive effects of digital media on democracy, there is also proof that it can be a threat as well.
A study titled “A systematic review of worldwide causal and correlational evidence on digital media and democracy” published by Nature said that while social media use is linked to an increase in political engagement, it can also lead polarisation, populism and distrust in institutions.
The research, which reviewed almost 500 studies across different platforms around the globe, found both positive as well as negative effects of social media.
“On the positive side, we found digital media use relates to higher political engagement and greater diversity of news exposure. For example, a study in Taiwan found information-oriented social media use increased political participation. However, this was only true if the user believed an individual can influence politics through online actions,” it said.
However, on the negative side, it found considerable evidence for effects of social media, such as fostering polarisation and populism, and reducing trust in institutions.
“The effects on trust in institutions and media were particularly pronounced. During the pandemic, digital media use has been shown to be associated with Covid-19 vaccine hesitancy,” it said.
Political polarisation
The study noted that a key negative outcome of social media use, in a range of political contexts and on various platforms, appears to be increased political polarisation.
“We found increased polarisation was also linked to exposure to opposing viewpoints in one’s social media feeds. In other words, being exposed to the words of political opponents did not bridge the political divide. Rather it seemed to amplify it,” it said.
It said that high digital media use was for the most part linked to higher levels of polarisation. However, the study also found some evidence for balanced online discourse without pronounced patterns of polarization1as well as evidence for potentially depolarising tendencies.
Violence
Meanwhile, studies in Austria, Sweden and Australia found evidence for an association between increased social media use and online right-wing radicalisation.
Studies in Germany and Russia provided causal evidence that digital media can increase the incidence of ethnic hate crimes.
It said there was a causal evidence that digital media can propagate ethnic hate crimes in both democratic and authoritarian countries.
Impact on democracy
The study said there are no simple answers to the question whether the internet is a liberation technology or social media incompatible with democracy.
It said that there is definitely evidence that digital media impacts political behaviour globally.
“This evidence warrants concern about the adverse impacts of social media on democracy,” it said.
It noted that despite positive effects of digital media on democracy, there is also proof that it can be a threat as well.