SMS Usage and Its Implication of Political Participation in Mainland China

摘要

As a less regulated new media, Short Message Service (SMS) was hypothesized to promote political participation in China with its fast growth and deep penetration in Chinese people's life. The study, however, through examining Chinese mobile phone users' SMS usage habits and perceptions, found out their general apathy towards the political usage of SMS. Instead, a prevalence of political jokes, which functions as a relief of social pressure, was identified. The study also found out Chinese SMS users actually conducted self-censorship voluntarily, although with a relaxed environment of government control.