World Wide Web

Political efficacy

Social psychology

Public relations

The Internet

Computer science

Situational ethics

Psychology

Politics

Social media

Political science

Political communication

Sociology

Media studies

Mass Communication & Society

This study examined college students' use of online media for political purposes in the 2008 election. Social media attention, online expression, and traditional Internet attention were assessed in relation to political self-efficacy and situational political involvement. Data from a Web survey of college students showed significant positive relationships between attention to traditional Internet sources and political self-efficacy and situational political involvement. Attention to social media was not significantly related to political self-efficacy or involvement. Online expression was significantly related to situational political involvement but not political self-efficacy. Implications are discussed for political use of online media for young adults.

Did Social Media Really Matter? College Students' Use of Online Media and Political Decision Making in the 2008 Election