Does Digital Intergroup Contact Reduce Prejudice? A Meta-Analysis

Abstract

With the ubiquity of technology in the modern life, contact between different social groups via a myriad of different digital means is an everyday reality. Can such a digital intergroup contact reduce prejudice, or does it exacerbate it? Here, we summarize the current evidence on the links between intergroup digital contact and prejudice in a variety of intergroup contexts. We metaanalyzed experimental and correlational evidence from 88 independent samples (N = 9,385).Digital intergroup contact showed a small but significant effect consistent with prejudice reduction (g = .25). Direct digital contact showed larger effect than indirect forms of contact, and contact via computer-mediated communication showed larger effects than contact achieved via other activities such as interacting with NPCs or embodiment. The effects were similar regardless of the type of outgroup targeted by prejudice. Overall, meta-analytical results suggest that digital intergroup contact may reduce prejudice.