Effect of Internet Use to Obtain News on Rural Residents’ Satisfaction with the Social Environment: Evidence from China

The deterioration of satisfaction with the social environment in rural areas recently has become a major issue in the rural governance of China. This study examined if using the Internet to obtain news would affect rural residents’ satisfaction with their social environment. It used data from the China Family Panel Studies to determine the influencing factors of rural residents’ satisfaction with their social environment in the Internet era. The research found that: (1) The Internet has become the main medium for rural residents to obtain news, which affects rural residents’ satisfaction with the social environment. Specifically, as the number of days rural residents use the Internet to obtain weekly news increased, their satisfaction with China’s social environment worsened. Internet use also affected satisfaction with the social environment more than traditional media, such as TV. (2) The influencing factors of rural residents’ social environment satisfaction were heterogeneous among groups with different characteristics, with the phenomenon of the “digital divide” emerging. Women, middle-aged and older adults, and illiterate/semi-illiterate people used the Internet to obtain news less frequently. Based on the above research conclusions, governments should focus on and be vigilant against false public opinions disseminated online as well as improve the digital literacy of vulnerable rural groups.