Quantifying Influencer Impact on Affective Polarization

TL;DR

This paper investigates how social media influencers on Twitter influence public sentiment and polarization, using a counterfactual framework applied to climate change and gun control discussions to quantify their impact.

Contribution

It introduces a novel counterfactual analysis method to measure influencer impact on online polarization, with case studies on climate change and gun control.

Findings

Influencers significantly increase polarization scores.

Counterfactual scenarios reveal their role in societal divisions.

Impact varies across different polarizing issues.

Abstract

In today's digital age, social media platforms play a crucial role in shaping public opinion. This study explores how discussions led by influencers on Twitter, now known as 'X', affect public sentiment and contribute to online polarization. We developed a counterfactual framework to analyze the polarization scores of conversations in scenarios both with and without the presence of an influential figure. Two case studies, centered on the polarizing issues of climate change and gun control, were examined. Our research highlights the significant impact these figures have on public discourse, providing valuable insights into how online discussions can influence societal divisions.