Assessing Worthwhileness of Political Contributions on Social Media. A Study of Young Adults in Norway Cover Image

Assessing Worthwhileness of Political Contributions on Social Media. A Study of Young Adults in Norway
Assessing Worthwhileness of Political Contributions on Social Media. A Study of Young Adults in Norway

A Study of Young Adults in Norway

Author(s): Elizabeth Solverson
Subject(s): Politics / Political Sciences, Communication studies, Sociology
Published by: Univerzita Karlova v Praze, Fakulta sociálních věd
Keywords: social media;young people;Norway; political communication; worthwhileness;non-news;political information;quality assessment

Summary/Abstract: Social media are important sources of political information for today’s citizens. When browsing social media, users frequently make decisions about which posts are worthy of their finite time and attention. These choices shape their future information experiences and the broader political discourse. Yet, current understanding of how citizens assess political information within these complex social settings are limited. Through qualitative mini-focus groups conducted among young adults in Norway, this study investigates how users negotiate and assess political contributions on social media, drawing inspiration from the concept of perceived worthwhileness (Schrøder & Steeg Larsen, 2010; Schrøder, 2017). The findings reveal a multifactor worthwhileness equation, illuminating the intricate dynamics underlying political content assessment on social media. When evaluating content, participants weigh up diverse criteria, including personal goals, contextual fit, and perceived contributor intentions; always influenced by their personal circumstances and values.

  • Issue Year: 17/2023
  • Issue No: 02
  • Page Range: 184-208
  • Page Count: 25
  • Language: English