The Impact of Internet Use on Social Trust in China: An Institutional Perspective in the Digital Era

Trust is becoming more fluid and dynamic in the digital society. While existing research has extensively explored the relationship between Internet use and social trust using a cognitive mediation model, this study introduces an institutional perspective. As Internet usage grows, both social trust (generalized trust in others) and institutional trust (confidence in public institutions) are experiencing significant changes, especially in China, where institutional reliance is high. Previous research has highlighted institutional trust's role in fostering social trust by enhancing perceptions of fairness and stability, reducing uncertainty in social interactions. However, few studies have explored the role of institutional trust in shaping the relationship between Internet use and social trust in the new digital era. To address this gap, we propose two key propositions: (1) Increased Internet use can enhance social trust by strengthening institutional trust, as digital platforms improve information access and government responsiveness, fostering public confidence and creating a more stable environment for social interaction. (2) Conversely, Internet use may undermine social trust by weakening institutional trust, as online spaces introduce new arena that may challenge traditional institutions, amplify polarized discourse and expose users to a broader range of societal problems, diminishing certainty and trust in others. Using data from the 2021 Chinese General Social Survey (CGSS), with robustness checks from the 2015 and 2017 waves, we find a significant negative relationship between Internet use and social trust, mediated by institutional trust. To address potential endogeneity between institutional trust and social trust, we employ an instrumental variable approach using confidence in government after COVID-19. This study contributes to the sociological discourse on how the digital era reshapes trust and distrust, emphasizing the crucial role of institutional trust in these processes.