WeChat use among Chinese college students: Exploring gratifications and political engagement in China

Given the potential of social network sites in democratization, this study explored the relationship between WeChat use, gratification seeking, and political engagement through WeChat in China. A survey of 307, young adult, WeChat users found: (1) WeChat use for entertainment and recognition needs predicted political engagement through WeChat; (2) WeChat use and browsing news and information about a particular political issue on WeChat were positively associated with political engagement through WeChat; and (3) the relationship between WeChat use and political engagement through WeChat was moderated by browsing news and information on WeChat.