Transnational social media communication and erosion of trust in US democracy: Evidence from a survey of Latinx Americans
AlShamari A. Gainous J. Gray T.J.
2025Taylor and Francis Ltd.
Social Science Journal
2025
This study explores how transnational social media communication–particularly via social media shapes Latinx Americans’ political attitudes toward U.S. democracy. Using 2023 national survey data, it finds that frequent engagement with people or media in Latin America correlates with lower trust in democratic norms, greater acceptance of authoritarianism, and higher tolerance for political violence. These relationships are moderated by both nativity and gender: The effects are stronger among immigrants than U.S.-born respondents and among men compared to women and non-binary individuals. The findings suggest that exposure to heritage-country narratives through transnational networks can erode confidence in U.S. democratic governance, depending on individuals’ embeddedness in these information environments. The study highlights how cross-border digital media flows shape democratic attitudes within diaspora communities and offers recommendations for policymakers, civic organizations, and media platforms to strengthen democratic engagement and resilience in transnational contexts.
democracy , Latin America , Latinx , social media , Transnational communication , United States
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College of Mass Communication, Department of Mass Communication, University of Sharjah, Sharjah, United Arab Emirates
Department of Social Science, Kimep University, Almaty, Kazakhstan
Department of Political Science, University of Louisville, Louisville, United States
College of Mass Communication
Department of Social Science
Department of Political Science
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