Internet Media and Universal Trust: An Analysis of the Impact on the Psychology of Social Interaction among Chinese Netizens.

Abstract

Objectives: With the rapid advancement of the "Internet +" era, network media have an increasingly greater influence on human production and lifestyle. However, the network security situation has become more serious, which has affected the trust of netizens in society. In this study, we explore the interaction between online media and universal trust, and further analyze the social psychological impact on Chinese netizens. Methods: We collected data from the "China General Social Survey" (CGSS) in 2017, using a 4-stage unequal probability sampling. We set 3 hypotheses and used a binary logistic regression model for data analysis. Results: We found that the universal trust of respondents who use online media as their main source of information is lower than that of traditional media, while social interaction and class status have a significant weakening effect on the negative impact of online media and its universal trust. Conclusions: These results contribute to further expansion of the theoretical and practical implications. The use of data ensures robust research conclusions; we propose factors that increase Chinese netizens' trust in online media.