The impact of Facebook network heterogeneity on ethnic polarization in Afghanistan: a serial mediation analysis approach

Existing scholarship on social media polarization has predominantly focused on political polarization in developed countries. However, the interplay between social media and other forms of polarization, such as ethnic polarization, which is equally harmful and arguably more prevalent in developing nations, has not received sufficient attention. Drawing on cross-sectional survey data (N = 549) from Afghanistan, this study examines the relationship between Facebook network heterogeneity and ethnic polarization. Results from two serial mediation analyses showed no significant direct association between network heterogeneity and ethnic polarization. However, network heterogeneity is positively associated with diverse content exposure, perceived knowledge acquisition, intergroup contact quality, and trust, thereby indirectly attenuating ethnic polarization. By extending the scope of polarization research beyond the political divide in the Western context, this study contributes to the emerging literature on ethnic polarization in social media.