A Qualitative Study with University Students on the Excessive Use of Social Media

Abstract

This study examines university students’ social media usage from different perspectives. The participants consisted of 29 students, 17 female and 12 male, studying in different faculties and departments of Dicle University. The data were obtained through semi-structured interviews conducted by the researcher. The thematic analysis produced five meta-themes regarding university students’ use of social media, which include interpersonal relationships, emotions, basic psychological needs, problems caused by social media use, and the impact of the use of social media on the self. Each meta-theme was divided into subthemes, categories, and codes; participant statement excerpts were presented. The qualitative findings were discussed in light of the literature, and recommendations were made.