Cross-sectional study reveals critical reflection links to online civic action in White young adults, highlighting selective framing of structural inequality across social issues.
We examined civic actions on social media and the social issues targeted by these actions among 598 White heterosexual American young adults (50.2% women; Mage = 22). Sharing posts was most common, followed by challenging others’ posts and writing original posts. Frequently addressed issues included health, gender orientation, the environment, and the economy. Labor, gender orientation, and economic issues were most likely to be framed through a structural inequality lens, whereas gun, environmental, and immigration issues were least likely to be framed this way. Critical reflection was positively associated with engagement in critical actions but not their frequencies.
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Le et al. (2026) studied this question.
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