Internet Use and Understanding Democracy in Africa
Article / Journal
Author(s) / editor(s):
Mathilde Maurel
,
Thomas Pernet
Year: 2026
Language(s): English
Abstract:
Using Afrobarometer Round 6 (2014) data across African countries, this paper studies how Internet and social networks as information sources affect individuals’ understanding of democracy. It prioritizes open-ended responses (coded with ChatGPT) and leverages exogenous variation from lightning × 3G coverage disruptions to identify causal effects. Results show Internet/social-network reliance is, on average, associated with a negative bias in democratic understanding—distorting perceptions of free expression and corruption—while improving perceptions of electoral fairness. Effects are highly heterogeneous: negative biases prevail in high-censorship contexts, whereas Internet use improves democratic understanding in low-censorship environments. The study implies that Internet diffusion can either undermine or reinforce democratic preferences depending on media openness and censorship.
https://doi.org/10.21203/rs.3.rs-8678000/v1
Post created by: Virginia Signorini