Abstract
This study examines how perceived differences in the affordances of social media platforms influence users' willingness to express opinions on a controversial issue, viz., systemic racism. Drawing on a U.S. nationally representative survey, our analysis suggests that fear of social isolation has a significant effect on Facebook but not on Twitter. Moreover, three platform affordances — network association, anonymity, and social presence — moderate the relationship on Facebook, while anonymity has a direct positive effect on Twitter. We argue that increased perceived network association and social presence and reduced perceived anonymity on Facebook result in higher levels of self-censorship. Twitter's interest-based ties, on the other hand, enhance anonymity and, with it, the willingness to speak on controversial topics.
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