Title: Technology-enabled subcultures among Chinese youths: smartphone addiction, virtual social capital, and ACGN addiction

Authors: Xiaoxiao Meng; Yungeng Li

Addresses: College of Arts and Media, Tongji University, 3rd Teaching Building, No.67 Chifeng Road, Yangpu District, Shanghai 200092, China ' School of Media and Communication, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, 800 Dongchuan Rd., Minhang District, Shanghai, 200240, China

Abstract: The anime, comics, video games, and novels (ACGN) subculture is the most popular subculture among Chinese youths. Also known as Erciyuan culture in China, youths use technology to participate in this subculture, primarily consuming ACGN content via their smartphones. There is an increasing trend of addiction to smartphones and to the ACGN subculture among Chinese youths. Using social capital theory and drawing on survey data from Chinese ACGN fans, this paper examines the mechanisms underlying smartphone and ACGN subculture addiction using a moderated mediation model. The findings reveal that smartphone addiction is positively related to ACGN content addiction. Bridging and bonding social capital mediate this relationship, whereas perceived stigma of participation in the ACGN subculture moderates it. The implications of the findings regarding participation in technology-enabled Chinese subcultures are also discussed.

Keywords: subculture; addiction; social capital; stigma; Chinese youths.

DOI: 10.1504/IJMC.2024.135688

International Journal of Mobile Communications, 2024 Vol.23 No.1, pp.43 - 60

Received: 28 Apr 2021
Accepted: 13 Mar 2022
Published online: 22 Dec 2023 *