The impact of digital media-driven affective polarisation on epidemic dynamics

Abstract

While prior studies have examined the influence of information diffusion on epidemic dynamics, the role of affective polarisation--driven by digital media usage--remains less understood. This study introduces a mathematical framework to quantify the interplay between affective polarisation and epidemic spread, revealing contrasting effects depending on transmission rates. The model demonstrates that greater digital media influence leads to increased polarisation. Notably, the results reveal opposing trends: a negative correlation between polarisation and the infected population is observed when transmission rates are low, whereas a positive correlation emerges in high-transmission scenarios. These findings provide a quantitative foundation for assessing how digital media-driven polarisation may exacerbate health crises, informing future public health strategies.