Social Activity on the Internet in the Context of the Outbreak of War in Ukraine – the Example of Poland. Research Report

Abstract

The war in Ukraine has caused a deep stir in Poland and around the world. The conflict has not only stirred emotions, but also mobilized the public to engage in various forms, from following current news to actively supporting those affected by the war. The aim of the research was to understand how the outbreak of the war in Ukraine affected the activity of Internet users, their perceptions of the conflict, and the ways in which they used social media and other online platforms to seek information, express opinions or organize support for the Ukrainian community. The research hypothesis was that increased interest and the search for verified information about the conflict could lead to an increase in citizens’ involvement in activities supporting Ukraine, both in material and emotional form. To verify the hypothesis, the author conducted a survey. Data was collected between March and April 2022, yielding a total of 1,379 completed surveys. The survey showed that 71% of respondents expressed great or very great interest in the situation in Ukraine, following information primarily through online portals and social media. The results indicate a dominant attitude of solidarity, with 83% of respondents supporting the reception of Ukrainian refugees. In addition, respondents engaged in various aid actions, including financial ones, in-kind collections, and also liked and shared posts on social networks.