Manufacture of Intimacy and Boundary Reconstruction: Analysis of Social Fatigue Behavior among Z-Generation Users on Xiaohongshu

Abstract

In a mediated society, Z-generation users tend to engage more in online socializing, giving rise to "companion socializing." This study focuses on Z-generation users on the Xiaohongshu platform, exploring the reasons for the formation of "companion socializing" from four dimensions: emotional, demand, technical, and media usage. The research finds that "finding companions" is highly popular among young Z-generation users, satisfying their emotional needs and boundary reconstruction, forming social belonging and resonance within circles, and to some extent alleviating social media fatigue emotions.