Cited by 40Social Media and PoliticsNews Media Framing and Political CommunicationMedia Influence and Politics

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Internet Use and Political Interest: Growth Curves, Reinforcing Spirals, and Causal Effects During Adolescence

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Moeller, Judith, Shehata, Adam, Kruikemeier, Sanne·2018·Journal of Communication

Abstract

This study analyzes reinforcing spirals between online media usage and political interest among adolescents. By applying a two-dimensional conceptualization of online media usage that distinguishes between content and interactivity characteristics, the study focuses on the mechanisms and processes stimulating the long-term development of political interest during adolescence. Findings from a unique, six-wave panel study conducted in Sweden over a period of 5 years suggest that reinforcing spirals are driven primarily by non-interactive political information usages of online media. These results contribute to a better understanding of the factors leading to the development of political interest during a crucial life phase, as well as the growing body of literature that theorize media and selection effects as part of reinforcing processes during adolescence.

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Crossref · 10.1093/joc/jqy062

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  • Multiple articles found that engagement with digital media increased political knowledge and that engagement with political content on social media increased political interest among adolescents.

    “Multiple articles found that engagement with digital media increased political knowledge67,70,72,74 and that engagement with political content on social media increased political interest among adolescents111.”
  • A range of articles found heterogeneity in effects for varying levels of political interest, political orientation and different characteristics of online content.

    “In summary, a range of articles found heterogeneity in effects for varying levels of political interest67,113, political orientation63,69,70 and different characteristics of online content111.”
  • Most authors, particularly those of the causal inference articles, explicitly emphasized the national, cultural, temporal and political boundary conditions for interpreting and generalizing their results.

    “Most authors, particularly those of the causal inference articles in our body of evidence, explicitly emphasized the national, cultural, temporal and political boundary conditions for interpreting and generalizing their results (see, for example, ref. 111).”

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Metadata

Authors
Moeller, J., Shehata, A., & Kruikemeier, S.
Affiliations
  • Amsterdam School of Communication Research, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam WV, The Netherlands
  • University of Gothenburg (SE)
  • University of Amsterdam (NL)
Corresponding author
Shehata, Adam
Venue
Journal of Communication
Published
2018-12-01
Volume
68
Issue
6
Pages
1052-1078
ISSN
  • 0021-9916 (ISSN-L)
  • 1460-2466
OpenAlex
W2905676831
Cited by
40
References
6
Citations by year
2026: 5 · 2025: 4 · 2024: 2 · 2023: 6 · 2022: 6 · 2021: 10 · 2020: 6
FWCI
8.76
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Locations
  • Journal of Communication (publishedVersion)
  • Socio-Environmental Systems Modeling (acceptedVersion)
  • UvA-DARE (University of Amsterdam) (submittedVersion, other-oa)
  • Data Archiving and Networked Services (DANS) (submittedVersion, other-oa)
  • Data Archiving and Networked Services (DANS) (submittedVersion)
Topics
  • Social Sciences › Communication › Social Media and Politics
  • Social Sciences › Communication › News Media Framing and Political Communication
  • Social Sciences › Sociology and Political Science › Media Influence and Politics
Keywords
political interest, adolescents, online media use, political information seeking, media interactivity, political socialization, growth curves

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