Drivers of online social media addiction in the context of public unrest: A sense of virtual community perspective

Abstract

During periods of public unrest, people tend to increase their daily usage of social media sites, such as Facebook, Instagram, or WhatsApp, to keep themselves abreast of developments and share their opinions. Over the last trimester of 2019, there were many demonstrations of public unrest in Latin-American countries, including Ecuador, Chile, and Bolivia. These events boosted the social media use. Individuals are exposed to information that is more sensitive and engaging than what is encountered in less agitated times. For instance, images of clashes between demonstrators and police, graphic violence, fake news, and accusations become more plentiful. The increased online interaction and the ..