Social network sites and political protest: An analysis of the moderating role of socioeconomic status and political group membership

Abstract

This research examines the association between the political use of social media and participation in political protest activities at individual level, as well as the moderating effect that socioeconomic status and membership to political groups exert on this relationship. To test the raised hypotheses, the study uses survey data collected in Quito, Ecuador (N = 1520) in 2018. The main results are: i) the use of social network sites (Facebook, Twitter) for the consumption of political information and political expression positively influences protest behaviour; ii) this mobilizing effect is intensified in people of lower socio-economic status and with a higher degree of participation in offline political groups; iii) the strength of the moderation relationships described is modified depending on the digital platform being used politically. Finally, the implications of the findings around the debate on social media, political communication and democracy are discussed.