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A Study into the Disruption of Social Media Platforms on Social Gatherings and Public Places

Authors:
Jan Tebatso Mhlongo
Joshua Ebere Chukwuere

Keywords: Social media; Disruption; Web 3.0; Facebook; SM platforms; COVID-19

Abstract:
Web 3.0 through social media (SM) has changed user experience and attention on the Internet enabling the generating of personalized content. Numerous studies have been undertaken on the dual impact of SM on education, and academic performance as well as the factors that influence the use of SM. However, the disruption of SM platforms in public and social gatherings has not been investigated adequately as SM platforms evolve. To instantiate this research, quantitative research methodology was used to investigate the reasons, effects, economic and social factors, and feasible measures for the use of SM platforms in social and public gatherings. The study draws its sample from a selected higher education institution (university and college) in the North West Province, South Africa. The study utilized digital questionnaires and 70% were recorded from the population size of 375 students. The data analysis and interpretation were done using Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS) involving descriptive and inferential statistics. The research findings indicate that COVID-19 and technological improvements were the main reasons for SM use in gatherings which mostly affects interpersonal communication and personal identity. The finding also suggests that the regulations of COVID-19, the advancement of technology, political unrest, and economic instability are the pioneer factors that accelerate the use of SM. Results show SM disruption programs together with digital detox and self-control are feasible measures to curb the use of SM platforms in social gatherings and public places (settings).

Pages: 1 to 10

Copyright: Copyright (c) IARIA, 2024

Publication date: September 29, 2024

Published in: conference

ISSN: 2326-9294

ISBN: 978-1-68558-198-5

Location: Venice, Italy

Dates: from September 29, 2024 to October 3, 2024