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The effects of social media on digital branding is analysed in this paper, to establish how to optimize brand awareness through non-administrated social media channels in a two-sided network. This is a relatively unexplored field which may prove to be important for future businesses. Different levels of cooperation between brands are increasing and the implementation of two-sided networks are becoming standardized. A new way of differentiation is needed for the ever changing field of social media. Social media changed the field of communications when its use in business started to grow exponentially in 2010. It has affected several digital business fields, as well as changing how companies interact with and appeal customers. Social media users have at the same time become more reluctant to following brands online since 2011, and their interaction patterns and behaviours have changed dramatically. Brands conducting businesses in the digital age are using social media as a standardized communications tool, but are not adapting as fast as their followers are to the rapidly ever changing digital environment. A quantitative method in the form of a case study of Urb-it and its partners’ social media and co-branding activities was conducted. Its purpose was to examine how a case would look like when it came to branding through non-administrated social media channels within a two-sided network. A qualitative method in the form of interviews with representatives from different companies in related business areas was conducted based on the data from the case study. With the purpose to examine why the acquired case data came out as it did. The results show that a higher rate of content interactivity or vividness does not increase the brands engagement rate, with the hypothesis that it is not a sufficient differentiator anymore. The results also show that social media have indirectly affected marketing and branding strategies by revolutionizing the field of communications. There are several problems when it comes to conducting a co-branding operation in a two-sided network, which is mainly due to lack of internal communications between the affected parties. They do not adapt their combined content enough to meet the standards and expectations of the combined target groups, and the field is suffering from a non-adaptive traditional approach when it comes to co-branding. Brands have to redevelop their customer approach on social media, and build more personal relationships with more narrow target groups to be able to stay relevant and differentiated against their competitors. Changing content to being more personalized is not the only necessary factor to succeed. Timing is as important as improved content. It is more important than a consistent posting frequency in the purpose too realize when, where and how your target group are receptible to your brands content. It is crucial when it comes to the creation of a sustainable business partnership within a two-sided network.

<p>This study examines issues arising from the popular use of technology and social networking in the classroom during lecture and its effect on student grades. Data were collected in a first year social science course. Findings of a general survey show that the use of technology and social networking during lecture is a popular form for multitasking with little impact on grades up to a certain threshold. Addressing this issue, this paper puts forth a broad historical overview of the use of leisure activities by workers during preindustrialization and industrialized capitalism. Through an examination of multitasking during lectures, this paper will assess the extent to which social norms of time discipline may be changing and the impacts this could have on the future of work organization. Activity theory is one method of guiding research in order to incorporate these multitasking activities into teaching and learning paradigms and policies for use in the classroom.</p> / Master of Arts (MA)

Contemporary social networking sites (SNSs) are becoming common places where individuals and their respective networks congregate to exchange information. These places online are often thought as community and as Chua, Madej,and Wellman (2011) suggest "communities can consist of a person's network of relationships, wherever such communities are located" (p. 101). However, traditional social networking sites like Facebook and MySpace typically comprise networks that users are already familiar with, often brought into online spaces from their offline worlds (Baym, 2011). In order to gain social capital, an important element toward civic participation, users must engage in actions of exchanges with members of their network (Bourdieu, 1986). Different types of social capital afford different types of support, yet traditional social networks typically only afford bridging capital, a social tie that is most commonly found to only provide new information rather than trust and emotional support. Due to the fragmented nature of our contemporary media landscape, as outlined through networked individualism (Wellman, 1998), individuals navigate multiple networks instead of remaining in one locale. This study seeks to analyze these types of networks found within a hybrid online and offline community, Fark.com, in order to understand how media multiplexity (Haythorthwaithe, 2005) allows for different forms of social capital to accrue. / Mass Media and Communication

The Digital Gap: An Exploration of Social and Emotional Aspects of Adolescent Behavior Online and Offline Julia M. Walsh Doctor of Philosophy Temple University, 2015 Major Advisor: Frank Farley, PhD Access to the Internet and the use of social networking sites are commonplace activities for modern day adolescents. This part of life is a crucial time of growth based in the development of identity and meaningful peer relationships and peer group affiliations. With the growing popularity of social networking sites comes both negative and positive outcomes for teens’ social and emotional functioning, which ultimately impacts the advancement of psychosocial autonomy. This study is designed to help parents and educators understand the social and emotional facets of adolescent behavior in the online and offline settings as they provide guidance, support, and direction to teens as well as develop educational programs that address teens and technology. The study examines various aspects of social and emotional functioning among adolescents in three social settings: in school, outside of school, and on social networking sites. The features of social and emotional functioning that are examined include: personal outcomes of social situations, communication about risk behavior, reactions to mean and cruel behavior, and affective and conative functioning. In addition, the extent to which teens report possessing thrill-seeking personality characteristics is also measured. The relationship between these variables is investigated through self-report data, gathered through a questionnaire, and provided by 117 students at a suburban high school outside of Philadelphia, PA. Results of the study suggest that, in general, adolescents’ personal outcomes of social experiences, communication about risk behaviors, and reactions to mean and cruel behavior appear to occur substantially more often during social activities outside of school in contrast to in school or on a social networking site. With respect to personal experiences, adolescents report having generally positive experiences more often than negative experiences across all three settings. With regard to communication about risk behaviors, teens report talking about alcohol, drugs, sex, and tobacco more often during social activities outside of school than in school or on a social networking site. Adolescents also report communicating significantly more often about sex and alcohol and to a lesser extent drugs, in contract to tobacco use. In relation to reactions to mean and cruel behavior, the teens in this sample report that they are significantly more likely to defend the victim, ignore the situation, or tell the person to stop rather than join in the harassment. Teens are significantly more likely to engage in these reactions to mean and cruel behavior during social activities outside of school and in school in contrast to time spent on a social networking site. Little information was discerned regarding affective and conative functioning. Finally, thrill seeking (i.e. Type T personality traits) were less associated with risk- taking behavior and more associated with social responses to mean and cruel behavior. It is important to note limitations of this research regarding the sample, such as racial make-up and gender distribution, as well as with respect to sampling and the tool of measurement. Nonetheless, this study provides valuable insight into the developmental period of adolescence and how it is impacted by advancements in technology, particularly as these changes relate to socialization. Parents, educators, researchers, and policy makers must be aware of the differences that exist between the physical and virtual settings for teens. Results from this study will inform parents and educators about the factors most associated with psychosocial development for adolescents in today’s world. These findings, in conjunction with findings from previous research, will provide support for ways to communicate with teens about pertinent features of social and emotional functioning as well as inform the development of new educational programs to train parents and students on the purpose, use, and advantages and disadvantages of online communication. / Educational Psychology

Limited literacy remains a prevailing issue among older adult populations. This qualitative study sought to answer the following research questions: How do older adults with limited literacy skills navigate and learn to navigate their daily lives in an advanced literate community such as the United States? What types of informal learning strategies and coping mechanisms have been used by these adults, and what perceived barriers and hindrances have participants faced and are facing in their lives? The study included the interviews, data collection and analysis of five women and two men, ages 67-87, two of whose activities also were observed by the researcher. The objective was to investigate their informal learning strategies and coping mechanisms within their current living environment. A thematic analysis of the seven narrative 'life stories' resulted in the emergence of four themes, which represented how these adults with limited literacy skills learned to navigate their daily lives and use informal learning strategies and coping mechanisms to survive in a changing environment: (a) Family support (or lack thereof), (b) social networks, (c) desired GED Program engagement, (d) self-directed gained knowledge. The study concluded that although none of the participants received a high school diploma, all successfully obtained employment and navigated their daily lives by incorporating various strategies. Likewise, given their implementation of self-directed learning strategies (Ausubel, 2000; Knowles, 1990; McClusky, 1974; Tough, 1982), participants viewed some of the dispositional, institutional, and situational obstacles (Cross, 1982), not as barriers, but as navigable and surmountable challenges. Implications of the study suggested limited literacy adults relied upon family support, social networks and self-direction to pursue knowledge and conceal limited literacy. They gained confidence and developed coping mechanisms to navigate daily activities, circumvent barriers and function in an advanced literate society. Future professional practice recommendations included incorporating ABE/GED programs at adult living facilities/community centers; invalidating false assumptions regarding limited literacy older adults; volunteering time and building trust with these adults; and validating their current and desired needs. Research recommendations included investigating limited literacy adult capabilities; shadowing their navigation; conducting similar studies in other U.S. regions; and investigating comparative life-span research. / Ph.D.

No / Artificial intelligence (AI) technology is becoming increasingly prevalent in society, offering a range of benefits and opportunities. However, with the rise of AI comes new challenges, particularly in hate speech. Hate speech, a type of expression that incites hatred or violence against individuals or groups based on ethnicity, religion, or other characteristics, has become a growing concern in Malaysia, with social media and online platforms becoming a breeding ground for such speech. In this context, AI technology has emerged as a potential solution for monitoring and regulating hate speech, but it also presents legal and ethical challenges that must be addressed. In view of double edge sword roles played by the development of AI, this article analyses the legal recourse available in Malaysia for disruptive AI technology and hate speech. The authors claim that AI systems are prone to errors and biases and that there is a risk of relying too much on such plans at the expense of human judgement. There are also concerns regarding the impact of AI on free expression and privacy rights. In addition, the author suggests that artificial intelligence be appropriately regulated to ensure that it is consistent with international human rights standards and national laws. / This research was supported by the Ministry of Education (MOE) through the Fundamental Research Grant Scheme (FRGS/1/2020/SSI0/MSU/03/1).

The Internet today has become a powerful tool-that has greatly improved the lives of all peoples across the globe. Simply put, the Internet has brought us into a new century of interconnectedness unlike any other period in human history. However, in terms of politics the effects of the Internet have been rather difficult to monitor, making the recent developments in the country of Iran unique. The Islamic Republic of Iran has become increasingly hostile towards moderate reforms and has steadfastly refused to grant greater freedoms, resulting in the disillusionment of many Iranians with their government. Coupled with this rising discontent has been a meteoric rise of Internet activity. With other outlets of expression dominated by the regime, the Internet has become the sole battlefield for political discussion. This research focuses on how the Internet is being used by both the government and the opposition as a political tool in the struggle for democracy. The intent of this thesis is to analyze the effects- of the Internet through the emergence of three different Internet trends. The expansion of blogging has led to greater political discourse as it has allowed Iranians to provide their opinion in an open environment for the first time. Social networking has given Iranians the ability to meet and learn about each other in ways that would never have been originally possible Lastly, the inception of the "YouTube Effect" has brought the events'oflran worldwide. Different from a typical news piece, these Internet videos are unedited showing the gravity of the situation to outsiders. Above all, the Islamic Republic of Iran presents a unique case study for analyze of the abilities of the Internet in institutionalizing democracy.