Civilian behavior on social media during civil war

Datos Bibliográficos

ID6232062
AutoresAnita Gohdes (0000-0001-7367-8646, Hertie School Friedrichstr. 180 Berlin Germany), Zachary C Steinert-Threlkeld (0000-0002-5122-9660, UCLA Luskin School of Public Affairs, University of California, Los Angeles Los Angeles California USA, autor de correspondencia)
Año2025
Volumen69
Número3
Páginas1099-1114
Fecha de publicación2025-07-01
Peer ReviewedSí
Open AccessSí
TipoARTICLE
RevistaAmerican Journal of Political Science (JOURNAL)
Identificadores de la revistaISSN: 0092-5853 • E-ISSN: 1540-5907
EditorialWiley (PUBLISHER • GB)
DOI10.1111/ajps.12899
OpenAlexW4401947102
IdiomaEN
Citas recibidas5
Referencias citadas43

Recent research emphasizes social media's potential for citizens to express shared grievances. In active conflict, however, social media posts indicating political loyalties can pose severe risks to civilians. We develop a theory that explains how civilians modify their online behavior as part of efforts to improve their security during conflict. After major changes in territorial control, civilians should be more likely to post positive content, and more content that supports the winning side. We study social media behavior during and after the siege of Aleppo in November 2016. We match Aleppo‐based Twitter users with users from other parts of Syria and use large language models to analyze changes in online behavior after the regime's retaking of the city. Results show that users in Aleppo post more positive and pro‐Assad content, but only when self‐disclosing their location. The findings have important implications for our understanding of digital communication in civil conflict

Civil Conflict · Geography · Political economy · Political science · Politics · Siege · Social media · Sociology · Spanish Civil War · Law · Political Conflict and Governance · Social Media and Politics · Terrorism, Counterterrorism, and Political Violence