Rome - Bologna Applied Economics Seminar: Ruben Enikopolov

Abstract

We examine the long-run effect of homophily in online social networks on interpersonal interactions in local communities. We measure online homophily across counties in the US using Facebook data. For identification, we exploit a conflict between Facebook and Google over data sharing of user information during the early expansion phase of Facebook. We find evidence that homophilic connections led to increased social media usage but reduced \textit{offline} socialization. This shift was accompanied by the deterioration of local social cohesion, as individuals became less connected across income strata and less likely to share the same political opinions with others in their counties.

Local Organizer: Nicola Mastrorocco