Age and Online Social Media Behavior in Prediction of Social Activism Orientation

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to describe the largely unexplored relationship between chronological age, displays of activism on social networking sites, and differences in orientation toward engaging in future social activism.  Participants completed a demographic questionnaire, the Activism Orientation Scale (A0S; Corning & Myers, 2002), and the Online Social Activism Scale (OSAS).  Two regression models were used in the prediction of participants’ orientation toward conventional activism behavior and high-risk activism behavior by chronological age and displays of activism on social networking sites.  Both models were statistically significant.  The data revealed that increased displays of activism on social networking sites were associated with a decreased orientation toward future conventional and high-risk activism behaviors.  Increased age was associated with a decreased orientation toward high-risk activism behavior.  Findings from this study highlight important considerations related to the expansion of activism participation from social media based platforms.