"I stand up for us". Muslims’ feelings of stigmatization in response to terrorism on social media

Author(s)
Ruta Kaskeleviciute, Helena Knupfer, Jörg Matthes
Abstract

Terrorism has the potential to divide societies. It is particularly relevant to investigate how Islamist terrorism on social media is associated with Muslim minorities’ attitudes and behaviors. This study examined how seeing terrorism on social media relates to Muslim minority individuals’ perceived stigmatization. We further investigated how perceived stigmatization translates to social media behaviors, namely, terror-related online self-disclosure and correction of false information about religion. A survey among German Muslims (N = 432) showed that social media use for information about terrorism was positively associated with perceived stigmatization. This relationship was moderated by individuals’ national identity, but not religious identity. Perceived stigmatization, in turn, positively predicted terror-related online self-disclosure and correction of false information about religion. The findings accentuate the role of social media use for minorities to cope and stand up for their in-group in the face of terror.

Organisation(s)
Department of Communication
Journal
New Media & Society
ISSN
1461-4448
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1177/14614448241236712
Publication date
02-2024
Peer reviewed
Yes
Austrian Fields of Science 2012
508007 Communication science
Keywords
ASJC Scopus subject areas
Communication, Sociology and Political Science
Sustainable Development Goals
SDG 16 - Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions
Portal url
https://ucrisportal.univie.ac.at/en/publications/i-stand-up-for-us-muslims-feelings-of-stigmatization-in-response-to-terrorism-on-social-media(b1dd8418-ab12-4196-8774-29cb9ac6db81).html