Social Media And Protest Behavior

On a theoretical level, the Uses and Gratifications Theory in communications posits that individuals use different media platforms to satisfy their own uses and gratifications. The authors noted that social media used for different reasons, including identity construction, participating in protest movements or simply looking for information are classic uses and gratifications. Social media are found to provide individuals with an opinion extension platform. This expression of opinions offer individuals a way to further process information and increase their interaction with the news around them, which both have been found to be positively correlated with protest behavior. Using classic political science literature, the author posited that more use of social media leads to a higher likelihood of political participation given the investment an individual puts into the enterprise as a whole. Finally, the author suggested that consumers of social media may use it as an instrumental platform where they can advance their own interests. By advancing their interests, they are more likely to engage in political activity including political protest. The content on social media outlets may be used for mobilization making it possible for individuals to use it to serve their own interest by engaging in further political action including political protest or social movements. To test the merits of these explanations linking social media use and protest behavior, the