University Students' Reliance on Social Media Platforms to Reduce the Spread of Inappropriate Content: A Field Study on a Sample of Wasit University Students

Abstract

The main objective of this research was to examine the degree to which university students rely on social media platforms to mitigate the spread of inappropriate content and the subsequent negative impacts on different areas of their lives. To accomplish this goal, the researcher employed a survey methodology, which was deemed the most appropriate approach for this type of study. A total of 100 participants were included in the sample to provide a representative perspective on the issue at hand. The study revealed several findings. First, one of the main reasons for accessing social media platforms was to follow important social topics. Second, emotional effects resulting from exposure to inappropriate content were fear, anxiety, and emotional detachment. Third, the behavioral effects resulting from using social media platforms to reduce inappropriate content were the most prevalent, accounting for 55% of responses, followed by cognitive effects at 23%, and emotional effects at 22%. Fourth, the most used social media platforms by the participants were TikTok at 30%, followed by Instagram at 26%. Finally, the top reasons for using social media platforms were to combat unemployment at 21%, address family problems at 19%, and pass the time during leisure hours at 18%. Other reasons included distance between family members at 11% and escaping reality at 9%.