Study on self-imposed social media restriction on emerging adults : a qualitative study

Abstract

This study is an exploration and documentation of the experience of a self-imposed social media (SM) restriction on emerging adults, with a particular focus on the way in which participants’ daily lives are impacted by the restriction, such as emotional and behavioural changes. This study applied a qualitative approach in order to gain a unique and in-depth understanding of the participants’ experiences and perceptions. For the purpose of this study, six participants between the ages of eighteen and twenty-three, both male and female, were given a daily journal to fill in over the course of the restriction period of one week and were then interviewed in order to gather sufficient data. The data was then analysed using the constant comparative method. The results of this study brought to light the pervasiveness of SM in today’s society and the various emotional, behavioural and cognitive consequences of trying to go without SM for a period of time. The developed conditioned response of some users towards SM and the various degrees of adaptability towards a self-imposed SM restriction, were also key findings of this research. This study concludes by making recommendations for policy and service development as well as further research regarding this subject.