The effects of social media usage on loneliness and well-being: analysing friendship connections of Facebook, Twitter and Instagram

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Shaoyu Ye ◽  
Kevin K.W. Ho ◽  
Andre Zerbe
Keyword(s):  
Social Media ◽  
University Students ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Self Report ◽  
Access Time ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Media Usage ◽  
Usage Patterns ◽  
Social Media Platforms

Purpose This study aims to clarify the effects of different patterns of Facebook, Twitter and Instagram usage on user loneliness and well-being in Japan. Design/methodology/approach Based on responses to a self-report questionnaire in Japan, 155 university students were separated into 4 groups: users of Twitter only, users of Twitter and Facebook, users of Twitter and Instagram and users of all three social media. The effects of social media usage on loneliness and well-being for each group were analysed. Findings No social media usage effects on loneliness or well-being were detected for those who used only Twitter or both Twitter and Instagram. For those using both Twitter and Facebook, loneliness was reduced when users accessed Twitter and Facebook more frequently but was increased when they posted more tweets. Users of all three social media were lonelier and had lower levels of well-being when they accessed Facebook via PC longer; whereas their their access time of Facebook via smartphones helped them decrease loneliness and improve their levels of well-being. Originality/value The findings reported here provide possible explanations for the conflicting results reported in previous research by exploring why users choose different social media platforms to communicate with different groups of friends or acquaintances and different usage patterns that affect their loneliness and well-being.

Trying to understand social media users and usage

2016 ◽  
Vol 40 (2) ◽  
pp. 256-264 ◽  
Author(s):  
Katrin Weller
Keyword(s):  
Social Media ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Future Studies ◽  
Media Usage ◽  
Social Media Platforms ◽  
Approaches To Study ◽  
The Media ◽  
Media Research ◽  
Social Media Research

Purpose – The purpose of this paper from the series “Monitoring the Media: Spotlight on Social Media Research” is to look into different approaches to study uses of social media platforms – from user statistics to motivations for using specific features within a platform. Design/methodology/approach – Based on a literature review some general findings on social media usage are summarized alongside with examples of user activities that are rarely studied. Findings – The paper concludes that social media research has neglected to question the use of more recent features in social media platforms, such as Twitter favorites or Facebook hashtags, as well as the more “destructive” activities in social networking such as unfollowing. Originality/value – The paper draws attention to some features of popular social media platforms which are currently understudied. It raises awareness for these specific gaps in social media research and could inspire future studies to close the gap.

From campfire to coliseum: motivations for using social networks

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Paula Castro Pires de Souza Chimenti ◽  
Marco Aurelio de Souza Rodrigues ◽  
Marcelo Guedes Carneiro ◽  
Roberta Dias Campos
Keyword(s):  
Social Networks ◽  
Social Media ◽  
Exploratory Study ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Qualitative Approach ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Media Usage ◽  
Practical Implications ◽  
Collective Narrative

Purpose Through a literature review, a gap has been identified regarding the role of competition as a driver of social network (SN) usage. This study aims to design to address this gap, seeking motivators for SN usage based on how SN consumption may be related to users’ experience of competition. Therefore, the purpose of this study is to investigate the influence of competition in social media usage. Design/methodology/approach The authors used an exploratory qualitative approach, conducting a set of focus groups with young social media users. Data was analyzed with software. Findings Two new drivers for SN use are proposed, namely, competition and collective narrative. Research limitations/implications This is an exploratory study, and it does not seek to generalize results or quantify causal relationships among variables. Practical implications This paper offers SN managers a deeper understanding of key growth drivers for these media. Social implications This research can help society understand and debate the impacts of SNs on users’ lives, providing insights into drivers of excessive usage. Originality/value This paper proposes the following two SN usage drivers yet to be described in the literature: competition and collective narrative.

This thing of social media! Going business or socialisation? Solving the great dilemma

foresight ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 22 (3) ◽  
pp. 331-350
Author(s):  
Akwesi Assensoh-Kodua
Keyword(s):  
Social Media ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Continuance Intention ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Social Media Platform ◽  
Actual Usage ◽  
The Future ◽  
Social Media Platforms ◽  
Media Platform ◽  
Near Future

Purpose Social media has become a “thing” not just for its historical purpose of socialisation, but a multi-faceted platform of unpredictable possibilities. With the current high levels of actual usage, business on the platform has assumed different styles and has become one of the competing activities on this platform, creating a dilemma for the future. However, as social beings, we can manage such capricious adventure by means of research, to predict the possible destination before we are taken by surprise. One of such medium of studies is through the philosophies of the continuance intention theories. To this end, the purpose of this paper was to investigated some antecedents of social media that are capable of predicting the direction of this platform to test this theory of continuance intention, and the results from the predictive Smart PLS3 shows that the continuance intention for business on this platform will overtake socialisation to offer the biggest market among the elitist class in the near future, and not China, Nigeria or the NYSE. Design/methodology/approach This paper uses Predictive Smart PLS3 to analyse the continuance intention of social media platforms. Findings Predictive Smart PLS3 shows that the continuance intention for business on social media platform will overtake socialisation to offer the biggest market. Research limitations/implications The questions asked in this study focussed on buyers and not platform managers. As the continuance intention depends on the latter as well, it would have been better if their opinions were also sought to determine what will make them continue to provide social media. Originality/value This paper is among the first to do such a study.

Innovating through social media

2019 ◽  
Vol 35 (4) ◽  
pp. 26-27
Keyword(s):  
Social Media ◽  
Open Innovation ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Global Market ◽  
Diverse Range ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Social Media Platforms ◽  
Pertinent Information ◽  
External Actors ◽  
Practical Implications

Purpose This paper aims to review the latest management developments across the globe and pinpoint practical implications from cutting-edge research and case studies. Design/methodology/approach This briefing is prepared by an independent writer who adds their own impartial comments and places the articles in context. Findings Open innovation, bringing internal and external actors together to create new products and services, is the key to survival in the global market. Social media platforms are able to help companies bring a diverse range of actors together to gain competitive advantage. Originality/value The briefing saves busy executives, strategists, and researchers’ hours of reading time by selecting only the very best, most pertinent information and presenting it in a condensed and easy-to-digest format.

One size doesn’t fit all: a uses and gratifications analysis of social media platforms

2020 ◽  
Vol 14 (2) ◽  
pp. 269-284 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mark J. Pelletier ◽  
Alexandra Krallman ◽  
Frank G. Adams ◽  
Tyler Hancock
Keyword(s):  
Social Media ◽  
Multivariate Analysis ◽  
Qualitative Study ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Research Study ◽  
Analysis Of Covariance ◽  
Main Study ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Value Propositions ◽  
Social Media Platforms

Purpose This research study aims to investigate consumer usage motivations for three of the top social media platforms today: Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. Additionally, through understanding various platform distinctions, firms can understand which social media platforms consumers prefer to use to co-create with brands online. Design/methodology/approach An exploratory qualitative study is first conducted to understand consumer motivations for using different social media platforms. The main study tests five hypotheses related to consumer usage intentions and social media co-creation behavior across three social media platforms. A survey is conducted with 1,050 social media users with a comparison of mean responses using multivariate analysis of covariance. Findings Results support significant differences between platforms in terms of use and co-creation behaviors. For informational purposes, consumers gravitate toward Twitter. For social purposes, Twitter and Instagram are preferred. Instagram is the primary platform for entertainment motivation as well as co-creating with brands via social media. Surprisingly, Facebook shows the lowest usage intentions and co-creation despite being the largest platform and network most widely used by marketers. Originality/value To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this is one of the first studies to take a multi-platform approach to understanding consumer social media use and co-creation with brands. The results highlight that marketing academics and practitioners must segment the various social media platforms as each offers unique value propositions to consumers.

Experiences and problems with hygiene masks reported by Japanese hay fever sufferers

2014 ◽  
Vol 26 (4) ◽  
pp. 262-273 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mika Morishima ◽  
Koya Kishida ◽  
Takashi Uozumi ◽  
Masayoshi Kamijo
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
University Students ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Hay Fever ◽  
Self Report ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Technical Data ◽  
Japanese University ◽  
Holistic Perspective

Purpose – In Japan, one of the countermeasures used to avoid the symptoms of hay fever (HF) is a hygiene mask; however, a mask can cause discomfort. The authors believe that co-occurrence analysis, which has been widely in the sciences, will be valuable to this issue. The purpose of this paper is to identify problems associated with the use of hygiene masks and recommend improvements in their function and comfort. The goal of this study was to obtain information for the development of effective hygiene masks for HF sufferers and therefore, improve their quality of life. Design/methodology/approach – The authors conducted a survey of university students with HF (n=1,519) to identify problems with hygiene masks. Students completed self-report questionnaires and co-occurrence analyses were used to examine the data from a holistic perspective. Moreover, technical data, relative to the problems of wearing a mask were acquired experimentally using thermal, hygroscopic, and airflow properties. Findings – Among Japanese university students, hygiene masks were the most popular countermeasure against HF symptoms. In addition, it was found that wearing a mask was not influenced of the type of symptoms. Most problems were related to the masks’ thermal, hygroscopic, and airflow properties. Originality/value – The paper proposed the use of co-occurrence analysis to analyze problems with hygiene masks. Most problems appear to be related to the thermal, hygroscopic, and airflow properties of the masks. Moreover, such phenomena have been experimentally demonstrated.

scholarly journals Young users' social media addiction: causes, consequences and preventions

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Hosam Al-Samarraie ◽  
Kirfi-Aliyu Bello ◽  
Ahmed Ibrahim Alzahrani ◽  
Andrew Paul Smith ◽  
Chikezie Emele
Keyword(s):  
Social Media ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Comprehensive Overview ◽  
Policy Makers ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Social Media Addiction ◽  
Social Media Networks ◽  
Problematic Social Media Use ◽  
Health Experts

PurposeSocial media addiction has been an ongoing topic of debate for platform developers, well-being and mental health experts. There is a limited understanding of the factors leading to the addiction of young social media users, the consequences of experiencing addiction, and the measures/mechanisms used by parents and platform providers to limit/prevent problematic social media use amongst young users. This systematic review aims to provide a comprehensive overview of the literature concerning these issues.Design/methodology/approachThe Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews (PRISMA) protocol was used to evaluate and present the results. A total of 45 studies were screened and independently reviewed against predetermined criteria for eligibility.FindingsThe results revealed four categories of young users' addiction to social media networks (social, technological, behavioural and mental). Several prevention approaches directed at parents and platform providers were discussed.Originality/valueThis study offers important insights for health policy makers, platform providers, parents and researchers on designing interventions addressing social media addiction amongst young users. It also provides an in-depth understanding of the conceptualization of social media addiction and suggestions on possible actions to prevent it.

Political anxiety over social media in Africa to grow

2016 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Social Media ◽  
Urban Areas ◽  
Presidential Elections ◽  
Sub Saharan Africa ◽  
Virtual Private Networks ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Media Usage ◽  
High Profile ◽  
Social Media Platforms ◽  
Sub Saharan

Subject Outlook for social media in sub-Saharan Africa. Significance Across sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) in recent months, several high-profile protests have been coordinated using social media platforms, including the #ThisFlag demonstrations in Zimbabwe and opposition unrest following Uganda's presidential elections. This is spurring governments to tighten rules governing online platforms and content, and block platforms such as Twitter and Whatsapp. Impacts Opposition activists will increase use of virtual private networks to circumvent blocks on censored websites. Initiatives such as the Forum on China-Africa Media Cooperation will help governments to police online content. Nevertheless, some Western donors will continue to sponsor initiatives, such as radio call-in shows, encouraging free speech. Clampdowns on social media will mainly affect political mobilisation in urban areas, for now, given poor rural internet penetration. Unit and subscription-related costs for web-enabled phones will continue to fall, increasing social media usage.

When silence isn’t golden

2019 ◽  
Vol 35 (12) ◽  
pp. 17-19
Keyword(s):  
Social Media ◽  
Case Studies ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Reading Time ◽  
Communication Strategies ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Social Media Platforms ◽  
Pertinent Information ◽  
Corporate Crisis ◽  
Practical Implications

Purpose This paper aims to review the latest management developments across the globe and pinpoint practical implications from cutting-edge research and case studies. Design/methodology/approach This briefing is prepared by an independent writer who adds their own impartial comments and places the articles in context. Findings Organizations should utilize social media platforms like Twitter to communicate effectively with stakeholders impacted in the wake of a preventable corporate crisis. It is critical to deploy relevant communication strategies in order to repair relations and minimize damage caused to the reputation and legitimacy of the firm. Originality/value The briefing saves busy executives and researchers hours of reading time by selecting only the very best, most pertinent information and presenting it in a condensed and easy-to-digest format.

Typology of social media followers: the case of luxury brands

2018 ◽  
Vol 36 (5) ◽  
pp. 558-571 ◽  
Author(s):  
Zahy Ramadan ◽  
Maya F. Farah ◽  
Armig Dukenjian
Keyword(s):  
Social Media ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Qualitative Approach ◽  
Luxury Brands ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Luxury Brand ◽  
Different Types ◽  
Social Media Platforms ◽  
Different Characteristics ◽  
Depth Interviews

Purpose Luxury brands tend to be hesitant in adopting social media. This matter has created an imminent need to understand the different types of online luxury followers so as to help luxury brands communicate effectively with their consumers, while maintaining the “luxe” image and experience. Accordingly, the purpose of this paper is to provide luxury brands with a deeper understanding of their online audience and the strategies needed to engage with them through the different social media platforms. Design/methodology/approach A qualitative approach was utilized in which 24 in-depth interviews were conducted with Lebanese followers of an online luxury brand’s social media pages. Findings The study identifies the presence of six main categories of online luxury followers: pragmatists, bystanders, trend hunters, image seekers, passionate owners, and prime consumers. Each group has a specific engagement and propensity to buy levels. Research limitations/implications Understanding the different segments of luxury brand followers provides a framework for marketing managers that allows them to correctly target their marketing and communication strategies in order to maximize consumer engagement and purchasing behaviors. Originality/value A significant gap exists in the extant literature which offers no understanding of the different luxury brand followers and their different characteristics. This study is the first to offer an exploratory typology of the various luxury brand followers on social media platforms.

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