ABSTRACT

This study investigates the ways in which the localized use of social media influences civic life in local communities. Specifically, the study explores the direct and indirect effects of informational and social motivations underlying localized social media uses on trust-building (interpersonal trust, political trust, and trust in community organizations) and civic participation in online and offline contexts. The findings through a nationwide survey of U.S. adults indicate that localized social media use resulted in the increase of interpersonal trust. Furthermore, the results show that trust in community organizations and local political trust played a more important role as a mediator between localized social media use and civic participation. Notably, localized social media use driven by social motivations had a greater effect on trust and civic participation than informational motivation. Theoretical and practical implications are discussed for civic technology and community building.

摘要

这项研究调查了社交媒体的本地化使用如何影响当地社区的公民生活的方式。具体而言，该研究探讨了本地化社交媒体使用背后的信息和社会动机对建立信任（人际信任，政治信任和对社区组织的信任）以及公民在在线和离线环境中的直接和间接影响。通过对美国成年人的全国性调查发现，本地化社交媒体的使用导致人际信任的增加。此外，结果表明，对社区组织的信任和当地政治信任在本地化社交媒体使用与公民参与之间起着更重要的作用。尤其，与信息动机相比，由社会动机驱动的本地化社交媒体使用对信任和公民参与的影响更大。讨论了对公民技术和社区建设的理论和实践意义。