Discursive consequences of social media hostility: Chilling effects, avoidance, and intervention behaviors of emerging adults in the U.S. and Indonesia

Publications: Contribution to journalArticlePeer Reviewed

Abstract

There is mounting evidence that social media platforms facilitate the dissemination of hostility, potentially yielding detrimental effects on the discursive space. Exposure to such hostilities can be particularly problematic for emerging adults, given this age group's high sensitivity to social validation. Our study investigated how exposure to social media hostility can shape emerging adults' willingness to engage in or avoid social media discussions as well as their direct and indirect interventions. We also explored the moderating roles of prior victimization and online social support. Findings of quota-based surveys in the US and Indonesia suggest that exposure to hostility on social media can foster the willingness to engage in social media discussions and prompt emerging adults to curate their discursive spaces, either by blocking and avoiding hostile others or by counterspeech. Prior experiences of victimization and perceived online social support partly increased these associations, depending on the cultural setting. By and large, our findings demonstrate that emerging adults are active stewards of their social media environment rather than helpless victims.

Original languageEnglish
Article number108704
Number of pages13
JournalComputers in Human Behavior
Volume171
Early online date19 May 2025
DOIs
Publication statusE-pub ahead of print - 19 May 2025

Austrian Fields of Science 2012

  • 508007 Communication science

Keywords

  • Direct intervention
  • Incivility
  • Intolerance
  • Social media
  • Indirect intervention
  • Discussion

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