The influence of Internet use on pro-environmental behaviors: An integrated theoretical framework

Abstract

This paper develops an integrated theoretical analytical framework for explaining the question of how Internet use shapes pro-environmental behaviors. Structural equation modeling with bootstrapping estimation was conducted to assess a causal chain from Internet use to pro-environmental behaviors with a nationally representative sample of 9,473 respondents from China. The results show that Internet use has a strong positive impact on environmental knowledge (EK) and perceived environmental pollution threats (PEPTs) and a negative effect on satisfaction with governmental environmental protection (SGEP). We also concluded that Internet use not only directly affects pro-environmental behaviors (although the effect is low) but also indirectly influences pro-environmental behaviors through the mediating effects of EK, PEPTs, and SGEP. Among them, the mediating effects of EK and PEPTs are positive, while the mediating effect of SGEP is negative. In fact, Internet use does not always have a positive mobilizing effect, which is undoubtedly one of the interesting results of this study. Finally, there are marked differences between the Internet and traditional media, such as newspapers, television, and magazines, in their influence on pro-environmental behaviors under this comprehensive framework.