The Implications of Heavy and Non-use of Social Media: An Auto-Ethnographic Approach

Abstract

This study uses an auto-ethnography and 10 in-depth interviews (five non-user of social media and five heavy users) to provide a detailed look into the various possible implication social media has on people lives. Through my experiences own experiences leaving and using social media (for one month each) I have found that social could benefit family and romantic relationships while also potentially inciting romantic jealousy. Social media could also negatively impact self-esteem as increased passive use could lead to social comparison. Uses and gratifications, the hyperpersonal model, self-discrepancy theory, and cultivation theory provided various explanations for the implications of false self-presentation strategies on social media, online social comparison, how satisfied both heavy users and non-users are with their usage, and the overall difference in attitudes and opinions that heavy and non-users have in regards to social media.