"AN INVESTIGATION OF MEANING MAKING ON POPULAR SOCIAL MEDIA PLATFORMS THAT ARE NOT KNOWN AS DATING SITES"

Using a mixed-method approach, Dr. Mostafa Aniss's study investigates meaning-making on social media platforms not known as dating sites. More specifically, young adults were interviewed about the turning points in their romantic relationships and reported that they experienced significant and meaningful events on social media platforms like Facebook, Snapchat, Instagram, and X. Qualitative findings yielded themes around the interpretive sources of attraction on said platforms whereas quantitative findings yielded data about the difference between experiencing turning points online vs experiencing them offline. Implications for emerging young adults are discussed as well as implications for research. Limitations around sample size and demographics are also emphasized along with the small effect sizes for the turning points.

Location: PSYCOMM BUILDING, ROOM 12