scholarly journals When viruses and misinformation spread: How young Singaporeans navigated uncertainty in the early stages of the COVID-19 outbreak

2020 ◽  
pp. 146144482096821
Author(s):  
Edson C Tandoc ◽  
James Chong Boi Lee
Keyword(s):  
Social Media ◽  
Young Adults ◽  
Young People ◽  
Focus Group ◽  
Information Seeking ◽  
Media Use ◽  
Uncertainty Management ◽  
Focus Group Discussions ◽  
Group Discussions ◽  
Social Media Use

Guided by the frameworks of uncertainty management and sensemaking during crises, this study examined how young adults in Singapore managed uncertainty around the COVID-19 outbreak. Through a series of eight focus group discussions involving 89 young adults, we found that participants experienced uncertainty about the outbreak, especially when it comes to how they should protect themselves. They managed this uncertainty in two ways: while some engaged in information seeking, others engaged in information scanning. Those who did not actively seek information did not avoid it either, with some of them finding it impossible to avoid information about COVID-19, as it comes up in their routine social media use and offline conversations. Understanding COVID-19 as an illness that does not threaten young people, our participants noted only minimal disruptions to them. Instead, they were more concerned about their parents and older family members, whom they considered as more vulnerable.

Exploring the “Social” in Social Media: Adolescent Relatedness—Thwarted and Supported

2021 ◽  
pp. 074355842110621
Author(s):  
Monique West ◽  
Simon Rice ◽  
Dianne Vella-Brodrick
Keyword(s):  
Social Media ◽  
Social Connectedness ◽  
Media Use ◽  
Focus Group Discussions ◽  
Group Discussions ◽  
Social Media Use ◽  
Rich Picture ◽  
Relational Experiences ◽  
The Social ◽  
Media Research

The pervasiveness of social media in adolescents’ lives has important implications for their relationships. Considering today’s adolescents have grown up with social media, research capturing their unique perspectives of how social media impacts their relationships is needed to increase understanding and help guide behaviors that nurture social-connectedness. Utilizing multiple qualitative methods, this study explores adolescents’ perspectives of how their social media use impacts their relationships. The sample comprised 36, Year 9 students aged 15 years from four metropolitan schools in Melbourne, Australia. All participants completed a rich picture mapping activity and focus group discussions. To gain deeper understandings, a sub-sample of 11 adolescents participated in subsequent one-on-one interviews. Reflexive thematic analysis generated two overarching themes (1) developing and strengthening relationships and (2) diminishing relationships. Sub-themes included; making new friends, maintaining relationships, deepening connections, enhancing belonging, rifts and strains, and anti-social behavior. Findings revealed nuanced insights into “how” and “why” adolescents believe social media impacts relationships. Adolescents explained that social media transforms interactions through amplifying and intensifying relational experiences resulting in both beneficial and detrimental outcomes for their relationships. Cultivating the positive aspects of adolescents’ social media use whilst mitigating the negative is important toward supporting relatedness and fostering wellbeing.

Young adults, alcohol and Facebook: a synergistic relationship

2017 ◽  
Vol 7 (2) ◽  
pp. 172-187 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sandra C. Jones ◽  
Simone Pettigrew ◽  
Nicole Biagioni ◽  
Mike Daube ◽  
Tanya Chikritzhs ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Social Media ◽  
Young Adults ◽  
Alcohol Consumption ◽  
Young People ◽  
Social Marketing ◽  
Social Engagement ◽  
Media Use ◽  
Social Media Use ◽  
Excessive Alcohol Consumption ◽  
Content Type

Purpose There is a growing body of research into the utilisation of social networking sites (SNS) by alcohol marketers, but less research into how young people utilise SNS to create their own meanings of, and interactions with, alcohol. The purpose of this study was to explore young adults’ perceptions of the nexus between alcohol and SNS. Design/methodology/approach In total, 60 adults aged 18-21 years took part in an intensive data collection process over six months. All references to social media in the interviews, focus groups and written introspections were compiled and analysed. Findings Results showed social media use stimulates alcohol consumption and alcohol consumption stimulates social media use. Four main themes emerged: social engagement, identity, drinking culture and distancing. Participants reported being constantly exposed to, and often influenced by, images of their peers enjoying themselves while consuming alcohol, with little representation of negative outcomes. Research limitations/implications The relationship between SNS, social norms and drinking behaviours is complex; there is a need for further research into the dynamics of this relationship to inform social marketing interventions. Originality/value While there is a body of research into commercial references to alcohol on SNS, there is less research into the ways young people utilise SNS to create their own meanings of, and interactions with, alcohol. The consumer research that has been conducted to date has focused on quantifying references to alcohol and drinking behaviours, observing profiles or surveying users. This study addresses a key gap in the literature that is needed to inform social marketing interventions to reduce excessive alcohol consumption: when, why and how do young people post about alcohol.

scholarly journals Perception, Attitudes, and Experiences Regarding Mental Health Problems and Web Based Mental Health Information Amongst Young People with and without Migration Background in Germany. A Qualitative Study

2020 ◽  
Vol 18 (1) ◽  
pp. 81
Author(s):  
Ümran Sema Seven ◽  
Mendy Stoll ◽  
Dennis Dubbert ◽  
Christian Kohls ◽  
Petra Werner ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Young Adults ◽  
Young People ◽  
Focus Group ◽  
Health Information ◽  
Mental Health Problems ◽  
Migration Background ◽  
Adolescents And Young Adults ◽  
Focus Group Discussions ◽  
Group Discussions

Mental illnesses in adolescence and young adulthood are steadily increasing. Thus, mental disorders represent an individual and societal challenge and an enormous health economic burden, creating an urgent need for research and action. Mental health problems are omnipresent in the life of young people and the internet is the first resource, which helps them to understand their situation. Young people with migration background often have more difficulties accessing health care services. Digital technologies offer an ideal opportunity for a low-threshold platform that addresses the needs of young people. The current project “GeKo:mental” aims to design a multilingual website for Cologne-based adolescents and young adults that will enable them to obtain comprehensive information about mental illness and health, treatment options and first contact points. To design this website, this study aims to find out what kind of health information is needed and how it should best be presented. Nine focus group discussions with adolescents and young adults with and without migration background (N = 68) were conducted; the focus group discussions took place at schools, in an association for social youth work and in an cultural association, which is linked to a mosque in Cologne, Germany. A qualitative content analysis was conducted on the gathered material. The participants reported concrete challenges and needs. The results will form the basis for the development and design of a website.

scholarly journals “Too Good to Be True”

2019 ◽  
pp. 65-86
Author(s):  
Anke J. Kleim ◽  
Petya Eckler ◽  
Andrea Tonner
Keyword(s):  
Social Media ◽  
Body Image ◽  
Young Adults ◽  
Focus Group ◽  
Body Shape ◽  
Focus Group Discussions ◽  
Group Discussions ◽  
Bodily Representation

This chapter examines how body image deception is created and understood in social media. The authors focus specifically on the beach body, which is a narrower form of bodily representation online, but where deception is especially likely to occur. Focus group discussions with young adults revealed that editing and perfecting the beach body is commonplace and even normalized on social media. However, participants distinguished between celebrities and friends in expected use of manipulation and seemed to place a limit on the acceptable types of manipulation: body tan but not body shape, for example. The authors discuss the implications of these discussions and how applying deception theory in body image research can provide useful insights.

scholarly journals Usage and Usefulness of Social Media in Everyday-Life Information Seeking Among International Students

2017 ◽  
Vol 19 (1) ◽  
pp. 23-42
Author(s):  
Mu Yu ◽  
Siti Ezaleila Mustafa
Keyword(s):  
Social Media ◽  
International Students ◽  
Focus Group ◽  
Everyday Life ◽  
Information Seeking ◽  
Focus Group Discussions ◽  
Group Discussions ◽  
Studying Abroad ◽  
Current Affairs ◽  
Everyday Life Information Seeking

In recent years, the number of students studying abroad has been increasing rapidly. However, adapting to life in different countries, particularly in Malaysia which is a multi-cultural country, is difficult and students are faced with a variety of challenges. As such, they may need more information for their cultural adaptation or daily life use from diverse channels or sources. By conducting focus group discussions, this study focuses on examining the use of social media and its usefulness in everyday-life information seeking (ELIS) among international students at the University of Malaya. Focus group discussions among graduate students suggested that social media ELIS centre around information about home and families, academic matters and news/current affairs. On the other hand, new/current affairs, self-improvement and information about friends for socialization emerged as key in their ELIS on social media. What is apparent, however, is that international students view the information acquired via social media is useful for the fulfilment of their everyday-life needs.

scholarly journals Social Media Use Among Young People in China: A Systematic Literature Review

SAGE Open ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (2) ◽  
pp. 215824402110164
Author(s):  
Lian Tang ◽  
Siti Zobidah Omar ◽  
Jusang Bolong ◽  
Julia Wirza Mohd Zawawi
Keyword(s):  
Social Media ◽  
Young People ◽  
Literature Review ◽  
Systematic Literature Review ◽  
Media Use ◽  
Academic Research ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Research Topics ◽  
Social Media Use ◽  
Systematic Analysis

The widespread use of social media has promoted extensive academic research on this channel. The present study conducts a systematic analysis of extant research on social media use among young people in China. This systematic literature review aims to identify and bridge gaps in topics, theories, variables, and conceptual frameworks in studies of social media usage among young people in China. The study aims to develop a cause–effect framework that shows the causal relationships among research structures. The PRISMA method is used to review 20 articles drawn from the Scopus and Google Scholar databases. From the analysis, 10 major research topics, eight theories or models, and a complete framework of causal relations emerge. It is recommended that future research on social media should include a greater diversity of types of social media, investigate a wider range of research topics, and adopt different theories or models. Researchers should also implement a more complete and detailed systematic method for reviewing literature on social media research in China.

scholarly journals Plurality in the Measurement of Social Media Use and Mental Health: An Exploratory Study Among Adolescents and Young Adults

2021 ◽  
Vol 7 (3) ◽  
pp. 205630512110353
Author(s):  
Diamantis Petropoulos Petalas ◽  
Elly A. Konijn ◽  
Benjamin K. Johnson ◽  
Jolanda Veldhuis ◽  
Nadia A. J. D. Bij de Vaate ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Social Media ◽  
Young Adults ◽  
Media Effects ◽  
Exploratory Study ◽  
Social Life ◽  
Media Use ◽  
Quadratic Functions ◽  
Adolescents And Young Adults ◽  
Social Media Use

On a daily basis, individuals between 12 and 25 years of age engage with their mobile devices for many hours. Social Media Use (SMU) has important implications for the social life of younger individuals in particular. However, measuring SMU and its effects often poses challenges to researchers. In this exploratory study, we focus on some of these challenges, by addressing how plurality in the measurement and age-specific characteristics of SMU can influence its relationship with measures of subjective mental health (MH). We conducted a survey among a nationally representative sample of Dutch adolescents and young adults ( N = 3,669). Using these data, we show that measures of SMU show little similarity with each other, and that age-group differences underlie SMU. Similar to the small associations previously shown in social media-effects research, we also find some evidence that greater SMU associates to drops and to increases in MH. Albeit nuanced, associations between SMU and MH were found to be characterized by both linear and quadratic functions. These findings bear implications for the level of association between different measures of SMU and its theorized relationship with other dependent variables of interest in media-effects research.

scholarly journals Refugee access to information in online and offline environments: results from focus group discussions

2021 ◽  
Vol 8 (1) ◽  
pp. 79-95
Author(s):  
Maria Jimenez-Andres
Keyword(s):  
Focus Group ◽  
Information Seeking ◽  
Communication Technologies ◽  
Information Communication Technologies ◽  
Information Communication ◽  
Focus Group Discussions ◽  
Group Discussions ◽  
High Commissioner ◽  
Information And Communication ◽  
Migrant Integration

In today migration processes, Information Communication Technologies (ICT) are increasingly important for refugee experiences and mobilities (Gillespie, Osseiran and Cheesman, 2016). In this light, there is a call by institutions such as the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (2016a; 2020a) and researchers in the field of refugee integration (Abujarour et al, 2019) for initiatives employing ICT to cater for refugees need for information and communication. This article discusses some information seeking practices of asylum seekers and refugees, in online and offline environments. The data was gathered by means of nine focus group discussions with refugee communities in Greece, Italy, and Spain, involving a total of 41 participants of 13 different nationalities. Issues relating to the languages and the accessibility of the information that is available to them are discussed. The results of this research will inform the subsequent phases of REBUILD, a project funded by the European Comission whose aim is the creation of a user-centred ICT-tool to promote refugee and migrant integration in Europe.

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