How young Chinese depend on the media during public health crises? A comparative perspective

Under the framework of media system dependency theory, this study investigates and compares traditional media dependency and Internet dependency in public health crisis situations in the context of Mainland China. 373 college students participated in the survey. Empirical data demonstrated that, during public health crises: (1) traditional media and the Internet play different roles for individuals; (2) higher level of threat perception leads to more intense Internet dependency, but does not do the same to traditional media dependency; (3) individuals’ Internet dependency intensity is higher than their traditional media dependency intensity; and (4) the Internet may influence the behavior of young Chinese more directly.

► Degree of media dependency is a significant predictor of attitude and behavior in regard to crises. ► What the study found is contradicting findings in western democratic countries. ► Traditional media and the Internet play different roles during public health crises. ► Individuals depend more on the Internet the traditional media during public health crises. ► The Internet may influence the behavior of young Chinese more directly when they face crises.