Expanding the Online Political Demos but Maintaining the Status Quo? Internet and Social Media Use by Finnish Voters Prior to Elections, 2003–15

Abstract

Though reinforcement/mobilisation theories regarding the impact of the Internet on citizens' political engagement are predictive, there are few longitudinal studies on how the profile of the citizens using the Internet for political purposes has changed and how this relates to such theoretical perspectives. Using survey data from four Finnish parliamentary elections, 2003-15, this longitudinal study examines the evolution of the predictors of belonging to the segment of citizens who extensively engage in searching for political information online during the elections. Additionally, the research longitudinally studies the evolution of the drivers of citizens deeming online sources as important for informing their voting decisions. In light of demographic and resource-based traits, a mobilisation trend is detected across time in the analyses. As to factors concerning attitudes and orientation to politics, however, a more evident reinforcement trend has emerged. These patterns are also evident when examining social media engagement through searching for political information during campaigns. Although the Internet and social media are becoming important for a demographically increasingly diverse group of citizens, especially the young, it is those already predisposed for doing so who have, over time, engaged politically to an increasing degree through these channels.

Twenty Years of Digital Media Effects on Civic and Political Participation

“…In the Italian elections of 2006 and 2008, the relationship was significant in 2006, but not in 2008 (Vaccari, 2013). In contrast, Strandberg and Carlson (2017) found similar (positive and significant) relationships in the 2007, 2011, and 2015 Finnish elections.…”

“…This is not to say that each individual country does not have periods of peaks in their trend line connecting digital media use and participation; however, at the global level, there is some consistency in the trajectory of the trend line. Although country-specific trend lines would be interesting, such analysis has been limited to elections (Bimber & Copeland, 2013; Bimber et al, 2015; Copeland & Bimber, 2015; Strandberg & Carlson, 2017; Tolbert & McNeal, 2003; Vaccari, 2013).…”

“…Within this body of research, few studies offer standardized logistic regression. Indeed, the literature on election effects across time all use logistic regression analysis (Bimber & Copeland, 2013; Bimber et al, 2015; Copeland & Bimber, 2015; Strandberg & Carlson, 2017; Tolbert & McNeal, 2003; Vaccari, 2013). Because of the lack of agreement on standardization of logistic regression coefficients, these coefficients are excluded from the analysis.…”

“…Several studies explore trends in digital media’s role in citizen’s political participation (Bimber & Copeland, 2013; Bimber, Cunill, Copeland, & Gibson, 2015; Copeland & Bimber, 2015; Strandberg & Carlson, 2017; Tolbert & McNeal, 2003; Vaccari, 2013). However, the focus has been on single countries and on participation in election campaigns, such as voting, attending rallies, and trying to persuade others to vote.…”

Influencia del uso de Facebook a la participación política en línea

“…Existe evidencia de que gran parte de la ciudadanía está adoptando el uso de estos servicios en cada nueva generación, particularmente jóvenes (Strandberg & Carlson, 2017, Xenos & Moy, 2007, originando la participación electrónica (e-participation) (Mossberger et al, 2012).…”