How Do Social Media Impact Interpersonal Communication Competence?

Abstract

The current study examines the role of psycho-social individual characteristics, social media motives, and social media use as predictors of interpersonal communication competence (ICC). Applying the uses and gratifications theoretical framework, this research seeks to explore the potential effects of social media use related to the second digital generation (2DG), or those born after 1990. A cross-sectional study design, surveying 373 college students ages 18-24 years, found that offline social capital, interpersonal interaction, and social activity were direct, positive predictors of ICC. Social media motives and use contributed a small but significant portion of explained variance in the model, above and beyond effects of psycho-social characteristics. Specifically, members of the 2DG who use social media to compensate for offline loneliness, as well as those who were more dependent on social media to fulfill a variety of needs reported lower ICC. Limitations and directions for future research are also offered.