This is why we can’t have nice things: examining the relationship between frequency of disagreeable political discussion, content moderation, re-platforming, and affective polarization

This study examined the relationship between frequency of disagreeable political discussion and content moderation, de-platforming, and re-platforming experiences, using original survey data collected from users of right-wing alternative social media platforms (Gab, Parler, Rumble, and Truth Social). We also examined the moderating role of affective polarization. Our results revealed that disagreeable political discussion was positively associated with experiencing multiple forms of content moderation, though not with the experience of being permanently removed from a social media platform. Frequency of disagreeable political discussion was also associated with utilizing some re-platforming tactics. Affective polarization did not moderate these relationships.