Changing the norms of citizenship? Attitude, platforms and crisis-driven shifts in 17 countries during the COVID-19 pandemic
- Author(s)
- Karolina Koc-Michalska, Darren Graham Lilleker, Yannis Theocharis, Toril Aalberg, Ana S. Cardenal, Nicoleta Corbu, Claes H. de Vreese, Frank Esser, David Nicolas Hopmann, Jörg Matthes, Christian Schemer, Tamir Sheafer, Sergio Splendore, James Stanyer, Agnieszka Stępińska, Václav Stetka, Jesper Strömbäck, Alon Zoizner
- Abstract
This study investigates shifts in citizenship norms during crisis. Citizenship, a core concept of democratic theory, reflects an allegiance to the state founded on public sovereignty, and individuals having the right and capacity to participate in political decision-making. Drawing on Schnaudt et al.’s framework, we explore changes in dutiful, autonomy, and solidarity norms through a two-wave panel study conducted across 17 European democracies in December 2019 and April 2020. Our data demonstrate that media use expectedly increased, and citizenship norms shifted significantly in some cases. Changes correlate strongly with rising levels of political interest. Complex patterns occur for different platform use: Facebook reinforced dutiful citizenship, Twitter strengthened autonomy norms, and WhatsApp solidarity norms. Exposure to congruent content enhanced adherence to all three norms, while peer-to-peer influence positively impacted autonomy and solidarity norms. The study contributes to ongoing discussions about the impact of the digital media environment on citizens’ relationships with democratic institutions.
- Organisation(s)
- Department of Communication
- External organisation(s)
- Audencia Business School, University of Silesia in Katowice, Bournemouth University, Technische Universität München, Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU) , Universitat Oberta de Catalunya, University of Bucharest, National University of Political Studies and Public Administration, University of Amsterdam (UvA), Universität Zürich (UZH), University of Southern Denmark (SDU), Johannes Gutenberg-Universität Mainz, Hebrew University Jerusalem, Università degli Studi di Milano-Bicocca, Loughborough University, Adam Mickiewicz University, University of Gothenburg, University of Haifa
- Journal
- New Media & Society
- Volume
- 28
- Pages
- 2981-3003
- No. of pages
- 23
- ISSN
- 1461-4448
- DOI
- https://doi.org/10.1177/14614448261444723
- Publication date
- 07-2026
- Peer reviewed
- Yes
- Austrian Fields of Science 2012
- 508007 Communication science
- Keywords
- ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Communication, Sociology and Political Science
- Portal url
- https://ucrisportal.univie.ac.at/en/publications/92df2729-8361-48df-a763-007298e8f900