TOGETHER WHEN APART: EXPLORING SOCIAL MEDIA INTERACTIVITY AND EMPOWERMENT AMONG REFUGEES
Open Access
- Author:
- Sreenivasan, Akshaya
- Graduate Program:
- Mass Communications
- Degree:
- Doctor of Philosophy
- Document Type:
- Dissertation
- Date of Defense:
- June 21, 2017
- Committee Members:
- Colleen Connolly-Ahern, Dissertation Advisor/Co-Advisor
Colleen Connolly-Ahern, Committee Chair/Co-Chair
Marie Hardin, Committee Member
Anthony Olorunnisola, Committee Member
Carleen Frances Maitland, Outside Member - Keywords:
- Social Media
Facebook
Netnography - Abstract:
- An interactive social technical system, Facebook is one of the most widely used networking platform in the world. Numerous studies have documented its impact (social and psychological) on people. This study contributes to the growing literature on media effects by documenting the use of Facebook among refugee groups in Sicily. Employing netnography (Internet ethnography), field observation, and content analysis procedures (N=2094), this dissertation explores concepts of self- expression, sense of community, and identity management among refugees. Results reveal that communications using interactive techniques such as voice calling (telephone feature) helped in reassurance at a time when the offline world provided very little social connections. While self- expression was seen as an important need on Facebook, contrary to popular theories, the type of wall post (video vs text) did not affect the number of subsequent responses received. Refugees however, preferred longer wall posts, providing support to the length equals strength argument. Longer wall posts received more number of responses. Though geographically present in a foreign land, refugees wished to be informed of news and events from their home country. They subscribed to more number of communities from home than community subscriptions from the host nation. Religion was an important factor in the refugee communities. “Friending” on Facebook was based on cultural and religious similarities. These practices were also reflected offline, where they were housed based on commonalities. The ideal self on Facebook, as expressed by the refugees was very similar to their western peers. None of the images on Facebook showed signs of poverty or sufferings, despite being housed in a fenced camp. These images were used as an escape mechanism to break out of their physical constraints. The pictures were also used to facilitate conversation, and provide hope to their family members in their home country.