Civic Engagement in the Digital Era: How Social Media, Ethnic-Racial Identity, and Critical Consciousness Shape College Students’ Social Action

This study examines how changes in ethnic-racial identity (ERI) and critical consciousness (CC) relate to college students’ civic action behaviors, and whether online sociopolitical engagement helps explain these relationships. Using a short-term longitudinal design, participants first complete a survey measuring ERI at the beginning of an academic semester. Then, approximately 2 months later at the end of the semester participants complete an additional questionnaire measuring ERI, CC, civic action behaviors, and online sociopolitical engagement.