Can we blame social media for polarization? Counter-evidence against filter bubble claims during the COVID-19 pandemic
New Media & Society
; : 14614448221099591, 2022.
Article
in English
| Sage | ID: covidwho-1886882
ABSTRACT
Although collective efforts are essential to fight COVID-19, public opinion in the United States is sharply divided by partisan attitudes and health beliefs. Addressing the concern that media use facilitates polarization, this study investigated whether social and traditional media use for COVID-19 information attenuates or reinforces existing disparities. This article focuses on two important areas where the public is highly polarized partisan affect and vaccine attitudes. Contradicting the filter bubble claim, our survey (n?=?1106) revealed that social media use made people less polarized in both partisan affect and vaccine hesitancy. In contrast, traditional media use made people more polarized in partisan affect. These findings corroborate the growing evidence that social media provide diverse viewpoints and incidental learning.
Full text:
Available
Collection:
Databases of international organizations
Database:
Sage
Language:
English
Journal:
New Media & Society
Year:
2022
Document Type:
Article
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