University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign

Beyond the feed: Examining college students' social media exposure to content related to Black communities

Alexander, Chelsea S.

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https://hdl.handle.net/2142/124397

Description

Title
Beyond the feed: Examining college students' social media exposure to content related to Black communities
Author(s)
Alexander, Chelsea S.
Issue Date
2024-05-01
Director of Research (if dissertation) or Advisor (if thesis)
Smith, Sharde
Committee Member(s)
Hardesty, Jennifer
Department of Study
Human Dvlpmt & Family Studies
Discipline
Human Dvlpmt & Family Studies
Degree Granting Institution
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
Degree Name
M.S.
Degree Level
Thesis
Keyword(s)
  • Social media
  • Racial socialization
  • Identity development
  • Emerging adulthood
  • College students
Abstract
Given the prevalence of social media use among Americans under 30 and the prevalence of race-related content on social media, this study identifies the content related to Black communities that emerging adults are exposed to on social media. Focus group data were collected from a sample of ethnically and racially diverse college students (Asian American, Black, Hispanic/Latinx, and white). Through a content analysis, this study found that racialized political content, Black racial discrimination experiences, non-affirming and affirming identity messages, and racial group comparisons were prevalent topics on social media. Situated within the developmental frameworks of social identity and emerging adulthood, I highlight the significant role of social media as an agent of racial socialization. The findings of this study contribute to the discourse on social media’s role in shaping racial perceptions among emerging adults.
Graduation Semester
2024-05
Type of Resource
Thesis
Copyright and License Information
Copyright 2024 Chelsea S. Alexander

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