Mobile Social Networking Apps Research Articles

Privacy paradox for location tracking in mobile social networking apps: The perspectives of behavioral reasoning and regulatory focus

Social networking services (SNSs) have been collecting and analyzing users' personal data for the sake of personalization and customization, raising massive privacy concerns. Among the various types of privacy, personal location data are considered most sensitive, but are critical for the location-based features in mobile SNS applications. Drawing on behavioral reasoning theory and accounting for the privacy paradox, this study investigates the heterogeneous psychological mechanisms supporting and discouraging mobile SNS users from enabling location tracking in SNS applications. Based on a survey of young internet users in China, our analysis shows that, first, reasons for location tracking are insignificantly associated with intention to allow location tracking but reasons against are negatively related to intention. Furthermore, for individuals with higher desire to share, reasons for and attitude have the stronger associations with intention, while the moderating effect of desire for privacy is insignificant. We make research contributions by examining the antecedents of the reasoning process, as well as the moderating role of desire to share, to account for the privacy paradox. We also contribute to behavioral reasoning theory by introducing regulatory focus-based antecedents to the reasoning process. We offer key practical suggestions for SNS providers and policymakers.

Uncovering the Heterogeneity in Fitness App Use: A Latent Class Analysis of Chinese Users.

This study examines fitness app use patterns and their correlates among Chinese users from the perspectives of uses and gratification theory and self-determination theory. Our sample comprised 632 users of WeRun, the fitness plugin of WeChat, the largest Chinese mobile social networking app; participants completed an online survey and provided self-tracked physical activity data, which were subjected to latent class analysis. Based on the four-class latent class model (which yielded the best model fit and the most interpretable results), 30.5%, 27.5%, 24.7%, and 17.3% of the users were categorized as light users, reward-oriented users, lifestyle-oriented users, and interaction-oriented users, respectively. Moreover, class membership was associated with gender, age, education, income, life satisfaction, autonomy, and platform-based motivations. There is a significant heterogeneity in fitness app use and exercise behaviors. Platform-based motivations and autonomy are important classification factors, as users are looking for specific kinds of gratification from their use of fitness apps. Demographics and individual characteristics are also explanatory factors for class membership. The study findings suggest that fitness app designers should segment users based on motivation and gratification.

Nomophobia in teenagers: digital lifestyle, social networking and smartphone abuse

Smartphone use influences teenagers’ behaviors and lifestyles, not always in a positive way. Abuse and dependence on the use of this device is what has led to the study of nomophobia. The objective of this research is to measure the level of nomophobia in adolescents, and to study their digital consumption habits. The study seeks to analyze the relationships between risk of nomophobia, digital behavior, age and smartphone use. A structured questionnaire has been applied to a sample of 850 students aged 12 to 16. The data has been analyzed with SPSS and SPAD. Multivariate statistical characterization, one of the most recent data mining techniques, has been used to study differences in teenagers’ behaviors according to their risk of nomophobia, and to find related explanatory variables. Teenagers’ nomophobia risk ranges from mild to moderate, showing a relation with age, academic performance and intensity of use of mobile social networking apps. The risk of nomophobia responds to differences in students’ digital, social, relational and educational behaviors, and exhibits differences according to academic performance, age, gender, motivation and self-perception.

A Mobile Social Networking App for Weight Management and Physical Activity Promotion: Results From an Experimental Mixed Methods Study.

BackgroundSmartphone apps, fitness trackers, and online social networks have shown promise in weight management and physical activity interventions. However, there are knowledge gaps in identifying the most effective and engaging interventions and intervention features preferred by their users.ObjectiveThis 6-month pilot study on a social networking mobile app connected to wireless weight and activity tracking devices has 2 main aims: to evaluate changes in BMI, weight, and physical activity levels in users from different BMI categories and to assess user perspectives on the intervention, particularly on social comparison and automated self-monitoring and feedback features.MethodsThis was a mixed methods study involving a one-arm, pre-post quasi-experimental pilot with postintervention interviews and focus groups. Healthy young adults used a social networking mobile app intervention integrated with wireless tracking devices (a weight scale and a physical activity tracker) for 6 months. Quantitative results were analyzed separately for 2 groups—underweight-normal and overweight-obese BMI—using t tests and Wilcoxon sum rank, Wilcoxon signed rank, and chi-square tests. Weekly BMI change in participants was explored using linear mixed effects analysis. Interviews and focus groups were analyzed inductively using thematic analysis.ResultsIn total, 55 participants were recruited (mean age of 23.6, SD 4.6 years; 28 women) and 45 returned for the final session (n=45, 82% retention rate). There were no differences in BMI from baseline to postintervention (6 months) and between the 2 BMI groups. However, at 4 weeks, participants’ BMI decreased by 0.34 kg/m2 (P<.001), with a loss of 0.86 kg/m2 in the overweight-obese group (P=.01). Participants in the overweight-obese group used the app significantly less compared with individuals in the underweight-normal BMI group, as they mentioned negative feelings and demotivation from social comparison, particularly from upward comparison with fitter people. Participants in the underweight-normal BMI group were avid users of the app’s self-monitoring and feedback (P=.02) and social (P=.04) features compared with those in the overweight-obese group, and they significantly increased their daily step count over the 6-month study duration by an average of 2292 steps (95% CI 898-3370; P<.001). Most participants mentioned a desire for a more personalized intervention.ConclusionsThis study shows the effects of different interventions on participants from higher and lower BMI groups and different perspectives regarding the intervention, particularly with respect to its social features. Participants in the overweight-obese group did not sustain a short-term decrease in their BMI and mentioned negative emotions from app use, while participants in the underweight-normal BMI group used the app more frequently and significantly increased their daily step count. These differences highlight the importance of intervention personalization. Future research should explore the role of personalized features to help overcome personal barriers and better match individual preferences and needs.

Self‐Regulation Deficiency in Predicting Problematic Use of Mobile Social Networking Apps: The Role of Media Dependency*

ABSTRACTThe problematic use of mobile social networking apps (SNAs) is an increasing issue in various places where people live and work. For example, employees’ use of mobile SNAs at work can result in significant loss of productivity. The literature has mainly focused on the etiology of problematic behavior with a focus on human psychological characteristics, whereas few studies have examined the role of technology media and problematic behavior. By integrating self‐regulation deficiency and media system dependency, this study investigates the drivers of problematic use of mobile SNAs by exploring users’ self‐regulation deficiency and its antecedents from a media dependency perspective. Data were collected from Chinese mobile SNA users via longitudinal surveys. The results show that self‐ and social‐oriented SNA dependency positively affect cognitive preoccupation and perceived irreplaceability, which in turn lead to users’ problematic use. We also compare the effect of SNA dependency across genders in the post‐hoc analysis. In the female group, self‐ and social‐oriented SNA dependency influenced problematic use through cognitive preoccupation and perceived irreplaceability. In the male group, self‐ and social‐oriented SNA dependency influenced problematic use only through their cognitive preoccupation. Implications for theory and practice are discussed.

Digital Disinformation About COVID-19 and the Third-Person Effect: Examining the Channel Differences and Negative Emotional Outcomes.

Expanding third-person effect (TPE) research to digital disinformation, this article investigates the impact of COVID-19 digital fake news exposure on individuals' perceived susceptibility of influence on themselves, their close others, and their distant others. Findings from a survey of 511 Chinese respondents suggest that, overall, individuals would perceive themselves to be less vulnerable than close others and distant others to the impact of COVID-19 digital disinformation. The highest self-other perceptual discrepancy is found when individuals receive disinformation on mobile social networking apps. Also, individuals who practice more active fact-checking perceive themselves to be less susceptible. The perception of disinformation effects on self as well as the self-other perceptual discrepancy is both positively related to emotional responses (anxiety, fear, and worry) to the COVID-19 pandemic. This study contributes to existing research by linking exposure to disinformation in different digital channels, the TPEs, and emotional outcomes in the context of a public health crisis. It also highlights the importance of educating and enabling fact-checking behaviors on digital media, which could help to reduce negative emotional impact of the disinformation.

COVID-19 Information Seeking on Digital Media and Preventive Behaviors: The Mediation Role of Worry.

The high prevalence of novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) and inefficient preventive measures taken to curb the disease are significant public health concerns. Rapid and innovative advances in digital media offer opportunities for health education, which could result in increased preventive behaviors. This study assessed preventive behaviors against contracting COVID-19 and tested mediation pathways linking four types of digital media consumption (social media, mobile social networking apps [MSNs], online news media, and social live steaming services [SLSSs]) to preventive behaviors, mediated by worry. Results from an online survey (N = 511) revealed that the vast majority (>90 percent) of respondents had very often or always practiced preventive behaviors against contracting COVID-19 such as washing their hands more regularly with soap and water, staying away from crowded places, and wearing face masks out in public. In addition, COVID-19 information seeking through the four types of digital media was a salient parameter that encouraged people to practice preventive behaviors either directly or indirectly. Specifically, seeking COVID-19-related information on MSNs, SLSSs, and online news media was directly associated with preventive behaviors. Whereas COVID-19 information consumption on social media, MSNs, and SLSSs during the infectious disease outbreak could elicit intense worry and, in turn, increase preventive behaviors. The reasons for and implications of the results are discussed.

Effectiveness and Parental Acceptability of Social Networking Interventions for Promoting Seasonal Influenza Vaccination Among Young Children: Randomized Controlled Trial.

BackgroundSeasonal influenza vaccination (SIV) coverage among young children remains low worldwide. Mobile social networking apps such as WhatsApp Messenger are promising tools for health interventions.ObjectiveThis was a preliminary study to test the effectiveness and parental acceptability of a social networking intervention that sends weekly vaccination reminders and encourages exchange of SIV-related views and experiences among mothers via WhatsApp discussion groups for promoting childhood SIV. The second objective was to examine the effect of introducing time pressure on mothers’ decision making for childhood SIV for vaccination decision making. This was done using countdowns of the recommended vaccination timing.MethodsMothers of child(ren) aged 6 to 72 months were randomly allocated to control or to one of two social networking intervention groups receiving vaccination reminders with (SNI+TP) or without (SNI–TP) a time pressure component via WhatsApp discussion groups at a ratio of 5:2:2. All participants first completed a baseline assessment. Both the SNI–TP and SNI+TP groups subsequently received weekly vaccination reminders from October to December 2017 and participated in WhatsApp discussions about SIV moderated by a health professional. All participants completed a follow-up assessment from April to May 2018.ResultsA total of 84.9% (174/205), 71% (57/80), and 75% (60/80) who were allocated to the control, SNI–TP, and SNI+TP groups, respectively, completed the outcome assessment. The social networking intervention significantly promoted mothers’ self-efficacy for taking children for SIV (SNI–TP: odds ratio [OR] 2.69 [1.07-6.79]; SNI+TP: OR 2.50 [1.13-5.55]), but did not result in significantly improved children’s SIV uptake. Moreover, after adjusting for mothers’ working status, introducing additional time pressure reduced the overall SIV uptake in children of working mothers (OR 0.27 [0.10-0.77]) but significantly increased the SIV uptake among children of mothers without a full-time job (OR 6.53 [1.87-22.82]). Most participants’ WhatsApp posts were about sharing experience or views (226/434, 52.1%) of which 44.7% (101/226) were categorized as negative, such as their concerns over vaccine safety, side effects and effectiveness. Although participants shared predominantly negative experience or views about SIV at the beginning of the discussion, the moderator was able to encourage the discussion of more positive experience or views and more knowledge and information. Most intervention group participants indicated willingness to receive the same interventions (110/117, 94.0%) and recommend the interventions to other mothers (102/117, 87.2%) in futureConclusionsOnline information support can effectively promote mothers’ self-efficacy for taking children for SIV but alone it may not sufficient to address maternal concerns over SIV to achieve a positive vaccination decision. However, the active involvement of health professionals in online discussions can shape positive discussions about vaccination. Time pressure on decision making interacts with maternal work status, facilitating vaccination uptake among mothers who may have more free time, but having the opposite effect among busier working mothers.Trial RegistrationHong Kong University Clinical Trials Registry HKUCTR-2250; https://tinyurl.com/vejv276

Using a Mobile Social Networking App to Promote Physical Activity: A Qualitative Study of Users' Perspectives.

BackgroundDespite many health benefits of physical activity, nearly a third of the world’s adult population is insufficiently active. Technological interventions, such as mobile apps, wearable trackers, and Web-based social networks, offer great promise in promoting physical activity, but little is known about users’ acceptability and long-term engagement with these interventions.ObjectiveThe aim of this study was to understand users’ perspectives regarding a mobile social networking intervention to promote physical activity.MethodsParticipants, mostly university students and staff, were recruited using purposive sampling techniques. Participants were enrolled in a 6-month feasibility study where they were provided with a wearable physical activity tracker (Fitbit Flex 2) and a wireless scale (Fitbit Aria) integrated with a social networking mobile app (named “fit.healthy.me”). We conducted semistructured, in-depth qualitative interviews and focus groups pre- and postintervention, which were recorded and transcribed verbatim. The data were analyzed in Nvivo 11 using thematic analysis techniques.ResultsIn this study, 55 participants were enrolled; 51% (28/55) were females, and the mean age was 23.6 (SD 4.6) years. The following 3 types of factors emerged from the data as influencing engagement with the intervention and physical activity: individual (self-monitoring of behavior, goal setting, and feedback on behavior), social (social comparison, similarity and familiarity between users, and participation from other users in the network), and technological. In addition, automation and personalization were observed as enhancing the delivery of both individual and social aspects. Technological limitations were mentioned as potential barriers to long-term usage.ConclusionsSelf-regulatory techniques and social factors are important to consider when designing a physical activity intervention, but a one-size-fits-all approach is unlikely to satisfy different users’ preferences. Future research should adopt innovative research designs to test interventions that can adapt and respond to users’ needs and preferences throughout time.

Examining the Predictors of Mobile Addiction: Some Insights from Malaysia

This research aims to investigate the predictors of mobile addiction. The data was analyzed using Partial Least Square-Structural Equation Modelling (PLS-SEM) approach supported by Smart-PLS 2.0 to assess the hypothesis in the research model. The PLS-SEM technique revealed that there was a strong correlation between social networking sites (SNS) intensity and mobile addiction. Users have positively expressed that visiting SNS is part of their everyday activity as they tend to check their SNS almost every day. They have this perception that they will feel out of touch when they do not log into their SNS for a day. In addition, they feel as if they are part of the community of SNS on campus. Those with many SNS accounts have a strong tendency to install and use mobile social networking apps on their mobile phones to connect and communicate with others. These heavy users frequently use their mobile phone to log into their social network via preferred social networking apps and actively use it to check the SNS. The direction for future research is also presented.

Understanding the Intention of Using Mobile Social Networking Apps Across Cultures

ABSTRACTUnderstanding the user acceptance of mobile social networking apps in different cultures can provide powerful insights for managers and marketers of social networking apps to develop effective globalized and localized strategies to attract users worldwide. Following the theory of planned behavior, this study develops a research model of privacy concern (PC), privacy risk (PR), and perceived enjoyment (PE) as attitudinal beliefs, subjective norm (SN) as normative belief, and smartphone self-efficacy (SE) as control belief to understand users’ intention to use mobile social networking apps. In particular, the impact of culture was investigated, considering the user base of mobile social networking apps is distributed globally and culturally diversified, and cultural values have direct impact on behavior. The research model was validated by survey data collected from 151 participants in the U.S. and 170 participants in South Korea. The data analysis results show that perceived enjoyment and subjective norm are the most important drivers behind users’ intention to use mobile social networking apps for both countries. No significant difference was found for the effects of privacy risk and subjective norm upon users’ intention to use mobile social networking apps across cultures. Implications of the findings upon theory and practice are discussed.

Impact of privacy concern on using mobile social networking apps: an empirical study

Impact of privacy concern on using mobile social networking apps: an empirical study

Impact of Privacy Concern on Using Mobile Social Networking Apps: An Empirical Study

In this study, we investigated the level of privacy concern among users of mobile social networking (MSN) apps, and the effect of users' privacy concern on their acceptance of MSN apps. Based on the social exchange theory as well as the uses and gratification theory, we developed a research model to hypothesise the relationships among privacy-related constructs. We tested the research model using the data collected from a survey study. Our data analysis indicates that survey respondents have privacy concern when using MSN apps. However, the direct effect of privacy concern on user's behavioural intention is not statistically significant, while enjoyment has a significant positive influence on the behavioural intention. The antecedents of enjoyment and privacy concern are found to significantly affect their respective dependent variable. The findings help researchers and practitioners better understand the impact of privacy concern on users' acceptance of MSN apps.

Who uses mobile apps to meet strangers: The roles of core traits and surface characteristics

ABSTRACTDigital space continues to be a popular venue for meeting new people. However, little is known about who uses mobile context-aware social networking apps to initiate new relationships. This study investigates the roles of individual core traits and surface characteristics in the adoption of social discovery features on WeChat, a mobile social networking app in China. Analysis of survey data collected from 213 WeChat users finds the core traits of agreeableness and neuroticism to be negatively related to the use of these social discovery features. The surface characteristic of sensation seeking is positively related to the use of social discovery features, while the surface characteristic of loneliness is not. Based on the findings, directions for future research and implications for app developers and marketers are suggested.

Use of mobile social apps for public communication in China: Gratifications as antecedents of reposting articles from WeChat public accounts

Mobile social networking apps, which offer a real-time platform for creating, sharing, and chatting, showcase the integration of mobile telephony and Web 2.0 technologies. Thanks to its thriving us...

Empowering Mobile Assisted Social E-Learning: Students’ Expectations and Perceptions

The aim of the present study was to empower mobile assisted social e-learning (eMASE) module that was designedbased on social constructivism theory in higher education settings. This study reports findings from a group ofundergraduates’ expectations and perceptions of e-cooperative learning using mobile social networking apps. TheeMASE module of the course was carefully designed by organizing various group activities which were emphasizedto encourage social interaction and promote collaborative learning among students. The data come from two sets ofquestionnaires administered at the start and end of the course. The results indicated that using Web 3.0 technologiesin a learning environment was effective in enhancing collaboration and promote students’ learning motivation andconfidence.