Destructive Effects of Mediatization Through Spheres of Public Life: Forms, Types and Classification
Year: 2025
Type: article
Abstract: Objective of the study is to analyze the destructive tendencies of mediatization of various spheres of public life and social institutions, and to identify its role in the construction of social reality. Methodological basis of the study. By means of the institutional approach the authors examine institutions, practices and cultural identities that are transformed by mediatization. The ideas of social constructivism form the basis for the analysis of “mediatized social worlds” that are constructed through the media. The figurative approach allows us to focus on new combinations of actors, communicative practices and the media generated by mediatization. Results of the study. Various forms of destructive manifestations at the individual psychological level are analyzed, namely, the cognitive and psychological effects of mediatization are identified. Sociocultural effects are manifested in the weakening of traditional social ties, the crisis of traditional institutions because of changing interaction and communication models. The problems of digital inequality and changes in privacy norms are touched upon, which exacerbate social risks. The loss of cultural diversity contributes to the emergence of an identity crisis, largely acting as a consequence of the culture commercialization. Mediatization of politics has a destabilizing effect on democratic norms. In the political and media environment, there is an increase in polarization, widespread disinformation and the prevalence of populist discourse. At the economic level, the destructiveness of mediatization is manifested in unequal access to information, resources and the strengthening of speculative practices. A classification of destructive consequences by the level and nature of impact, as well as by the degree of influence is proposed. Prospects of the study include further research of destructive practices in the media space, identifying the attitude of university youth to destructive media content and the degree of their exposure to destructive threats in the media field.
Authors: Elena Susimenko, Alyona Khorokhordina
Institution: Platov South-Russian State Polytechnic University
Language: English
Subfield: Communication
Field: Social Sciences
Domain: Social Sciences
Open Access status: diamond
OpenAlex ID: W4412033729