New media use and the belief in a just world: awareness of life events and the perception of fairness for self and injustice for others

ABSTRACT

The disclosure of life events is among the most common behaviors on social media and is part of the everyday activities revealed through the use of many other new media. This paper explores the awareness of major life events through these media as they relate to a person’s belief in a just world for themselves and others. Using survey data, we find that text messaging, commenting on Facebook, and having more Facebook friends are associated with awareness of desirable events. Passive modes of communication, e.g., the use of the ‘like’ interaction on Facebook, are related to an awareness of both desirable and undesirable life events across a greater range of social ties. Awareness of undesirable events in the lives of strong ties fosters a lower perception of equity and justice for others, whereas an awareness of desirable experiences in the lives of strong ties is related to greater, perceived, personal justice. We discuss the implications of the awareness of major life events through new media in terms of the psychological benefits that can come from the vicarious joy and comfort one receives from other’s experiences; what we call mudita and comfort from others (MACO). We argue that the long-term, cumulative effects of greater awareness of undesirable life events may lend support to social movements that seek to reduce injustices experienced by disadvantaged groups.

KEYWORDS:

• Social networks
• mobile phone
• email
• collective action
• life events
• FOMO

Acknowledgements

We extend our appreciation to Mary Chayko, Larry Gross, and Katherine Ognyanova for their advice and feedback on earlier drafts of this work.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Inyoung Shin

Inyoung Shin has a PhD in communication from Rutgers University and is a lecturer in the Department of Computer Science at Yale University. Her research focuses on the social uses of technology, in particular the relationship between social media, social networks, community, and civic engagement.

Keith N. Hampton

Keith N. Hampton is a Professor in the Department of Media and Information, and Associate Director for Academic Research at the Quello Center at Michigan State University. Additional papers can be found at www.mysocialnetwork.net.