The Politics of Disconnection: A Systematic Review of Politically Motivated Unfriending

Authors

  • Qinfeng Zhu Research Centre for Media and Journalism Studies, University of Groningen

Keywords:

politically motivated unfriending, disconnective behaviors, social media, selective avoidance, safe space, systematic review

Abstract

Recent years have seen a surging scholarly interest in disconnective political behaviors on social media, commonly termed “politically motivated unfriending.” This study presents a systematic review of 28 articles (34 studies) on this topic. Through content analysis, it provides a robust synthesis of the trend, contexts, and focuses of the research, the scale and prevalence of politically motivated unfriending, and its antecedents and consequences. Through inductive thematic coding, it identifies 3 recurring themes with regard to the conceptualizations of politically motivated unfriending—it is understood as selective avoidance under the normative framework of the public sphere, self-care following the logic of personal spaces, and a means to create safe spaces within unequal social structures. This systematic review highlights the importance of understanding the political implications of social media through the lens of disconnectivity, demonstrates the democratic paradox of disconnection, and offers recommendations for future research.

Author Biography

Qinfeng Zhu, Research Centre for Media and Journalism Studies, University of Groningen

Qinfeng Zhu is an Assistant Professor at the Centre for Media and Journalism Studies at the University of Groningen. She holds a Ph.D. in Communication from the City University of Hong Kong and a M.A. in Communication from the National University of Singapore. Her research examines how digital technologies shape individuals’ social relations and information environments and influence citizens' political and civic (dis)engagement.

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Published

2023-08-29

Issue

Vol. 17 (2023)

Section

Articles

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