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ERIC Number: ED655532
Record Type: Non-Journal
Publication Date: 2021
Pages: 117
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: 979-8-5970-6919-7
ISSN: N/A
EISSN: N/A
College Students' Experiences with Social Media Information Sharing and Sexting, Bullying, and Cyberstalking: A Qualitative Phenomenological Study
Julia Elizabeth Noel
ProQuest LLC, Ed.D. Dissertation, Northcentral University
Social media has become a crucial form of communication and social interaction. However, users are often unaware of the possible ramifications of using social media platforms or how their user-generated content is being used. The problem addressed in this study is that sexting, bullying, and cyberstalking occurs in all social media platforms causing physical and psychological harm. The purpose of this qualitative phenomenological study was to document the knowledge and lived experiences of college students about cybersecurity, use of personal content on social media, and personal experience with sexting, cyberbullying, and cyberstalking on social media platforms. The sample was 10 college students from a rural university in a southern state which included eight females and two males. Data were collected using semi-structured open-ended interviews. The research findings showed that half of the study participants have received unsolicited sexual photos or messages on social media and four of the 10 study participants have sent sexual photos and messages. The research findings also showed that half of participants believe that cyberbullying is more prevalent among younger individuals. Half of the study participants have also had indirect experience with cyberstalking; whereas four of 10 participants have had direct experience with cyberstalking. Seventy percent of participants in the study have direct or indirect experience with cyberstalking. One recommendation for further research is to conduct a qualitative study using group interviews with teens and young adults on the topic of sexting using Snapchat. The purpose for this research is to address the unanswered questions about sexting and Snapchat identified in this study as most participants believe that sexting can be done safely using Snapchat. [The dissertation citations contained here are published with the permission of ProQuest LLC. Further reproduction is prohibited without permission. Copies of dissertations may be obtained by Telephone (800) 1-800-521-0600. Web page: http://bibliotheek.ehb.be:2222/en-US/products/dissertations/individuals.shtml.]
ProQuest LLC. 789 East Eisenhower Parkway, P.O. Box 1346, Ann Arbor, MI 48106. Tel: 800-521-0600; Web site: http://bibliotheek.ehb.be:2222/en-US/products/dissertations/individuals.shtml
Publication Type: Dissertations/Theses - Doctoral Dissertations
Education Level: Higher Education; Postsecondary Education
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A