Digital socialization: Insights into interpersonal communication motives for socialization in social networks among undergraduate students

Abstract

Social interactions and communication between individuals have been completely transformed by digital technology (DT). People from all around the world can now communicate with each other thanks to social media platforms. The main focus of this study is on interpersonal communication motives (ICM) in social networks (SNs), aiming to examine how Ethiopian undergraduate students socialize in relation to digital technologies (DTs). A concurrent design with a mixed approach was utilized, including self-administered questionnaires and focus group discussions (FGD) during the data collection process. The students' ICM were used to gain a deeper understanding of their experiences and perspectives towards digital socialization (DS) in SNs. A total of 312 undergraduates aged 18 to 27 participated in the study, with 202 being male and 110 female. The results of the investigation highlighted the significance of SNs in shaping undergraduate students' ICM. The findings demonstrate the benefits of SNs in facilitating students' socialization process by providing a platform for interaction, communication, and relationship-building. Interestingly, there were no significant variations in ICM in DS using SNs based on gender. By exploring how students socialize within SNs, this study aims to contribute to the existing body of knowledge on the subject. Educational institutions and policymakers could leverage these findings to understand the advantages of incorporating SNs into students' academic experiences, ultimately enhancing their socialization process and overall well-being.

Keywords

• Digital socialization
• Digital technologies
• Interpersonal communication motives
• Social networks
• Socialization behavior
• Undergraduate university students