2PY280: Social Media Experience - Qualitative Research Report

This research report explores the multifaceted experiences of social media users through a qualitative study. The study, conducted by a student, examines the positive and negative impacts of social media usage, focusing on themes like self-esteem, management of social media use, and the creation of a cybernetic world. The methodology includes interviews with six participants, followed by a thematic analysis to identify key patterns and insights. The findings highlight experiences in building friendships, managing social media consumption, and using social media for information. The report also discusses ethical considerations and the analytic procedure employed. The study provides valuable insights into how individuals perceive and interact with social media platforms in the modern era. The report concludes by summarizing the themes identified and discussing their implications on the users.

Running Head: Social Media Experience 1
SOCIAL MEDIA EXPERIENCE
STUDENT’S NAME
COURSE
UNIVERSITY
DATE

Social Media Experience 2
Abstract
This research paper is on the topic of "Social Media Experience." The usage of social media has
increased largely in this modern day scenario. Initially, people started using this medium to get
connected with their near ones. It is one of the most widely used platforms in this modern day
scenario. However there are also some negative impacts of using the social media. Often the
users become highly addictive to the social media platforms. Some researchers and psychologists
also highlighted Anti-social traits, which resulted in using Social media platforms like Facebook,
Twitter, etc. Social Media users have shown the tendency of becoming socially addictive and
more socially interactive in real life. Generally, the research will focus positive and negative
experiences on social media the thematic analysis will empathize on themes like oneself-esteem
on social media, managing the use of social media, Social Media platforms are creating a
cybernetic world for interaction and entertainment thus affecting the future generation. An
interview was is carried and analysis on questionnaires, the discussion will take about 30 to 40
minutes for each participant. This paper examines the social media experiences traits generated
by using social media platforms. This assignment has been focused on finding out the effect of
social media over the users

Social Media Experience 3
INTRODUCTION
According to Fuchs, Boersma, Albrechtslund, and Sandoval (2012), social media forums
are computer intermediated technologies that allow the creation and sharing of different forms of
expression in the communities and networks. It is a new technology that is speedy growing in a
few years. For example Facebook, Whats-App, Tumbler, Instagram and many more. Instead of
making, these social media networks are creating mental pressure on every age of people.
Excessive use of this social media has led the society towards mental obsession, depression
(Fuchs, Boersma, Albrechtslund & Sandoval, 2012).
As technology advances, people are spending their valuable time in browsing different
internet platforms. Like on Facebook certain people have found their long lost family member
and friends,while on Instagram people impress and update their followers. People nowadays are
giving time to communicating with their peers and family members in real life. For example, if
you have a family or relative abroad, you can talk through massagers on social media platforms
hence avoids spending a lot of money with international calls. Social media also it can be used
for entertainment whereby one can watch videos and receive news on the platforms. Social
media can also be used as a business platform where you can advertise your goods and service
for the business. It's a platform whereby you can meet many people who can assist you in a way
or another. Social media is easy to use; it does not need anyone to go to class and study. The
research aims to discuss the peoples experience on social media on society.

Social Media Experience 4
Methods
Participant’s information
The first member is Leonard’s participant (F) by the name Timothy, a 23years old
Entrepreneur, currently using social media and has been using it for ten years, the purpose of
using social media is for business and news update. The second member is Natasha’s participant
(C) by the name Stefanie, a 23 years old Blogger and an Entrepreneur, and she uses social media
every day for 11 years, the purpose is to know about people’s life. The third member is Erika’s
participant (E) by the name Keith, a 20 years student, using social media daily for keeping in
touch with friends.The fourth member is Jered Ming's participant (D) by the name Johanna, who
is 21 years old, a student using social media daily as a sharing platform.The fifth member is
Jeya’s participant (B)by the name Irene, who is 30 years old, a business owner using social
media daily. Using social media as a sharing platform and is aware of the pros and cons of social
media. The last member is Alicia’s participant (A) by the name Kavi who is 30 years old, a
freelancing yoga teacher and digital marketing using social media for 15 years. The reason for
being on social media is for business purposes.

Social Media Experience 5
Interviews
The interview was conducted on Friday in the evening at around 5:00 Pm; it was set at
such time so that it will not distract the student’s schedule of their learning process. The non-
students were conducted, and they stated that the set time was the right diary of availability. The
interview often compiled sampling opinion poll. The type of question asked was about, the
experience of people on the social media, the time consumed when on social media, an example
of the problem, "How often do you use the Social Media?" a full copy of question can be found
on the appendix (interview schedule and transcript). The budgeted time for the interview to take
place was between 30-40 minutes. The meeting effectively took place, and it went as planned
(Hrastinski & Aghaee, 2012).
Ethics
According to Resnik (2011). Ethics is exceptionally vibrant in every research. Before
taking part in the study, the participants were given a consent form to sign and show that they
have an interest in the study. The indication on the pre-information sheet was that the
participants have the right to withdraw from the study at any time without any permission; the
participants have the privileges to pull back from the analysis. The participant was assured to be
comfortable to ask the question within the session or after the interview has ended if anything
was not definite. According to Ross, Loup et al., (2010), the rights of the participant are on the
hands of the researcher; however, the sovereignty and formality of a member will be treasured.
The record made during the session will be deleted after the results of the study went through.
The researcher is supposed to make the member feel secure for his privileges. The Individuality
and superiority of the applicant ought to be looked upon (Ross, Loup, et al., 2010).

Social Media Experience 6
Analytic Procedure
As per Braun and Clarke (2014), the process of thematic analysis should be seen as an
original method for qualitative analysis and should be dedicated to assessing the outcomes. A
valuable research tool offers a flexible way for thematic analysis, which possibly gives a piece of
abundant, comprehensive facts. This research outline the guideline of6-phases to do the thematic
analysis (Braun & Clarke, 2014). The phases are getting used with the generation of initial codes,
data analysis, searching themes,defining themes, naming themes and final report writing.
According to Braun and Clarke, (2014), coding is a typical segment used as a regular component
for qualitative analysis, and this was not an enactment for statistics. Every coded data and similar
codes are grouped.
The second stage is the area where the data has been encrypted and gathered.Themes are
related to coding your systems to recognize the closeness in information and the dynamic
procedure topics that are not covered up (Braun & Clarke, 2014). The fourth stage is connecting
the coded section and checking if the full collection of information for the themes is working. It
therefore required rechecking the subject and reencountering a piece of reliable, ideal data
information. Also, it is needed to be directed and composed of a detailed study. Lastly, this
review must be properly analyzed and then used in the findings of the thematic analysis (Braun
& Clarke, 2014).

Social Media Experience 7
Thematic analysis
The thematic analysis is one of the most mutual forms of analysis in qualitative research.
This method stresses on scrutinizing, identifying and recording patterns (themes) within data. For
the primary research, a review by use of 6 participant were made, and the conducted interview
included the 6 acquaintance (Shepherd, Sanders, et al. 2015). However, all the acquaintance
were given quick consideration to the task of carrying out the interview.
A flow chart of the thematic themes.
Social Media Experience
Positive Experience Negative Experience
Positive
comments
Managing usage
of social media
Building
friendship
Fare
accounts
Decreased
self-esteem
Influencers
Influence
cycle
Reliable
informatio
n
Communicati
ons

Social Media Experience 8
Experience in building a friendship
Prefer social media
This is an act of finding friends and interacting with them on social media platforms.
Many participants prefer social media to build their rapport (Falk, & Bassett, 2017). According
to Kavi as it in the interview script line 75, and he said:
…“Ouch, it’s good! Because so far I have perfect friends on social media.” …
According to Stefanie, in the interview script line 153, she agreed that social media is a good
platform. And she said:
… “In a way, I think it's good (SMILING)” …
While Timothy says in the interview script line 98-99, that he also believes that social it for
interacting and building friends. And he said:
… “Mm, I think it is for building a friendship on social media. It’s cool for me, and then I
did build some friends through social media.”…
Conclusion:
Thus it can be concluded from the above findings that people are becoming more
comfortable by using the social media platforms. They are feeling comfortable in interacting
with their online friends from different other countries. Being friendly only in Social media
forums is to meet, have fun and interact with people from another country (Awang, Kutty, &
Ahmad, 2014). The majority of people have confidence that Social media is building the
relationship of the people. The young generation of the society is becoming much addicted

Social Media Experience 9
towards the social idea. However, effort has to be taken so that they do not refrain or start
keeping themselves aloof from their real world due to the over exposure to the virtual world.
Managing the use of social media
This theme analysis focuses on managing the use of social media. Several responses from
the participant gave feedback on how they use the media platform (Grevet, Terveen, & Gilbert,
2014). Irene says in the interview script line 82-83
… “No no, I don't think that's why I left facebook. (Giggles), like the trends about the
dance they want; the car ‘Kiki challenge.' But the ice bucket one is quite nice lah.” …
While Johanna states in the interview script line 95-96, he says:
… “Um, I think I do not follow the trends on social media whenever I find it not
interesting or not meaningful.”…
Also, he added in the interview script line 40-41 and stated that:
… “Eh the trends? Let me check. (Pauses) Just some while others are just plain
stupid.”…
Conclusion:
The use of social media platforms depends on the mindset of one person. In real life, we
should focus on our career and practical life matters. Social-media us and distract our focus from
growth. The favourite participant in the analysis says that they are encountering difficulties on
social media (Ruths & Pfeffer, 2014). The platform is not a source of communication for
correspondence to stay in contact. It is not the best platform to approach trends.

Social Media Experience 10
Searching information using social media
Very knowledgeable and reliable:
This theme is used to analyse the data on social media. Social media is a platform where people
interact and shares information enhancing a broad scope to the access of information (Jakobson,
2014). According to the response fromTimothy in the interview script line 108 as he says social
media has material that give guideline to lifestyle. And he said:
…“There is a lot of pages that give me information about how to work out and eat
healthy diets.”…
While Irene says in the interview script line 114-117,she is currently an active user of Facebook,
and when it comes to searching and commenting, she prefers Google, which will link you to your
wants. She said:
…“It’s advantageous. Because when you find items of food, I believe whatever that, you
key in Google ah, it will link you to Facebook. First, it will link you to the restaurant,
particular shops,and through Facebook account first. Yah!So from there then you can see
their pictures, comment, and rate.It's' so convenient.” …
Conclusion:
Thus it can be concluded that many people believe the social media platforms are useful
in current life since the media has many articles that provide information about healthy tips and
work out. When accessing it can redirect first to the page you need on Facebook (Jakobson,
2014).

Social Media Experience 11
Decrease self – esteem
In the study by Woods and Scott (2016), they found that the self-esteem concerns about
user's physical appearance and close relationship with your friends; this is obvious mainly when
Facebook companions give positive criticism.
According to Stefanie in the interview script line 57-63, she said that the number of likes
determines how the photo is attractive. This is what he said,
… “Well!What I can say is, this narrative can be quite damaging, not only for young
children who can't tell the difference between real and fake but also for adults who can
understand but are subliminally influenced by it anyway. Looking at perfect people on
your feed all day is damaging to self-esteem because people are comparing their
imperfect lives to the carefully curated photo reel of someone else's life. And also let me
add violence that happens around the world, which is posted on social media freely. It is a
medium to spread positivity and happiness not hate.” …
Conclusion: the only minority does not like social media because it's people to create false
narratives about themselves whereby you can't differentiate between real and fake. The
respondent believes this act is destroying the self-esteem of social media users. It channels for
positivity and not for hatred (Vogel, Rose, Roberts, & Eckles, 2014). This could be an example
because the participants state it reduces s their self-esteem because of some of the shares only for
information.

Social Media Experience 12
Recommendation
Experiencing the use of social media platforms depends on the mindset of the person. In
real life, we should focus on our career and practical life matters. Social-media us and distract
our focus from growth. Focusing can solve all the depression caused by the usage of social
media (Reilly, 2011).
Bonding with family and friends – Online is not a Real-World Bonding. Using social media is
considered a suitable medium, but this isn't wanted real-world bonding. Interaction differs in
many ways. Real life bonding gives mental satisfaction and growth in the brain.
On should know every Social media friends in real life. The average users of Facebook don't
only the one-fifth of people are just friends, however, Social media aims to connect people, but if
this connection doesn't join us in the real world, then it's a diversion. Real friends make us feel
happy. A routine will be more efficient to divide time and relax. It will ones break bad habits.
One gets to choose how the day goes. One will be able to communicate with others without any
stress.We try to create another identity, which makes us introvert in real life (Reilly, 2011).If
social media is used for more than 2 hours a day, then it might become harmful to your mental
health. So we should avoid using social media as less as possible. It may be addictive, but the
above recommendation reduces addiction.
Conclusion
The users have so celebratedtheSocial Media platform. The users can become anyone
because it fuels our already broken society. It has causes children and adults to frequently check
their phones even though their friends and family are just within them. People nowadays forget
how to discuss real-world gathering. They are now into virtual chat and have conversations there
(Potts, 2013). Social media is as social as we may think. It works like a double edge sword and