Exploring the Different Impacts of Facebook and WhatsApp on Generalized Trust: A Quasi-Experimental Study in Hong Kong

Research output: Conference PapersRGC 31A - Invited conference paper (refereed items)Yespeer-review

Abstract

This study examined the distinct impacts of Facebook and WhatsApp on generalized trust, focusing on the mediating role of the diversity of personal networks. We conducted a survey of 1,310 residents in Hong Kong and analyzed the data collected using regression analysis and causal inference (based on inverse probability weighting). We found that Facebook’s relational use had a positive indirect effect on generalized trust through increased network diversity, whereas WhatsApp’s relational use had no effect (either direct or indirect) on generalized trust. We explored the differential consequences of the use of Facebook and WhatsApp in relation to the ongoing debate on sources of generalized trust.

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