Association between internet use and private-sphere pro-environmental behavior among Chinese residents

An exploratory study from the perspective of ecological civilization construction

Bibliographic Data

ID22083761
AuthorsJie Gao (0000-0002-9523-4541, Capital Normal University), Xiaoqian Liang (Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, corresponding author)
Year2026
Volume14
Pages1852423-1852423
Publication date2026-06-03
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueFrontiers in Public Health (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 2296-2565 • E-ISSN: 2296-2565
PublisherFrontiers Media SA (PUBLISHER • CH)
DOI10.3389/fpubh.2026.1852423
PMID42318002
OpenAlexW7163427170
LanguageEN
References cited45

Introduction: This study uses data from the 2021 Chinese General Social Survey (CGSS) to examine the association between internet use and residents' private-sphere pro-environmental behavior. Understanding the potential role of internet use in private-sphere pro-environmental behavior is crucial for designing effective environmental measures, protecting residents' health, and advancing China's ecological civilization construction in the digital age. Materials and methods: Using descriptive statistics and multiple linear regression analysis of a sample of 2,231 respondents, this study examined the association between internet use and private-sphere pro-environmental behavior. Further analyses were conducted to test the possible indirect associations of environmental self-efficacy and environmental risk perception between the two, while controlling for a series of sociodemographic variables. Results: Internet use was significantly and positively associated with private-sphere pro-environmental behavior, and robustness checks supported this finding. The indirect association of environmental risk perception between the two was significant, while no significant indirect association of environmental self-efficacy was found. However, environmental self-efficacy remained significantly and positively associated with private-sphere pro-environmental behavior. Conclusion: This study shows that environmental risk perception is an important variable for understanding the association between internet use and private-sphere pro-environmental behavior. At the same time, the findings suggest that internet use may not necessarily relate to environmental self-efficacy. Therefore, we recommend focusing on residents' environmental risk perception, optimizing the content and format of environmental risk information online, and cultivating environmental self-efficacy through offline channels. These findings further deepen the understanding of the psychological mechanisms underlying the association between internet use and private-sphere pro-environmental behavior

Exploratory research · Perception · Risk perception · The Internet · Environmental Education and Sustainability · Impact of Technology on Adolescents · Risk Perception and Management

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