On the Strength of Weak Ties: Barriers to Political Expression Online

This study explores how the structure of social networks (homogeneous/heterogeneous) and the quality of connections (strong/weak ties) are perceived to shape motivations and barriers to civic and political participation. Contrary to the prevailing view of the power of weak ties (as argued by Granovetter), this research highlights the opposite phenomenon, where weak ties are described by participants as inhibiting young adults from expressing their political identity online. Through an analysis of data from in-depth interviews with 50 Tel Aviv University students, the study reveals that, while participants feel unrestricted in discussing political issues offline with their strong ties, they actively avoid explicit political expression on Facebook. Thematic analysis of interview data further shows that the key reason for this avoidance is the presence of weak ties in online networks, where participants fear social disapproval or lack of validation. These findings offer new insights into the role of weak ties in political communication, suggesting that instead of fostering movement, these connections can lead to a stagnation effect in online political expression.