Ideology and polarization set the agenda on social media.

ABSTRACT: The abundance of information on social media has reshaped public discussions, shifting attention to the mechanisms that drive online discourse. This study analyzes large-scale Twitter (now X) data from three global debates-Climate Change, COVID-19, and the Russo-Ukrainian War-to investigate the structural dynamics of engagement. Our findings reveal that discussions are not primarily shaped by specific categories of actors, such as media or activists, but by shared ideological alignment. Users consistently form polarized communities, where their ideological stance in one debate predicts their positions in others. This polarization transcends individual topics, reflecting a broader pattern of ideological divides. Furthermore, the influence of individual actors within these communities appear

SUBMITTER: Loru E 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12521695 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature