Social Media Usage Among University Students: A Study on Selfie and Its Impacts

Abstract

Objective: This study examines the impacts of selfie on university students. Media convergence is more than simply a technological shift. Convergence alters the relationship between existing technologies, industries, markets, genres and audiences. 'Selfie' as defined by the Oxford (2013) is a photograph that one has taken of oneself, typically via the smartphone and uploaded to social media website. The term is relatively new to our vernacular however the phenomenon is not an entirely new one. In fact, it has become the "Word of the Year" in 2013. Selfie is a result of technological convergence where it's integrated two or more devices into one platform.

Methodology/Technique: Two variables have been used to measure impacts; positive and negative impacts. A questionnaire was developed based on previous literatures and a total of 187 respondents participated in this study.

Findings: The findings disclosed that there are positive impacts of selfie for both genders whereby respondents believe that selfie can increase one's perception and confidence. It is also found that negative impacts for both genders in the areas of wasting time and editing photos before posting to social media.

Keywords: Social media; Selfie; Impacts; University students

JEL Classification: I23, Z19