Hedy Chen
Pronouns: she/her/hers
Research Mentor(s): Jin Sung
Research Mentor School/College/Department: Marketing / Business
Program:
Authors:
Session: Session 2: 10:00 am – 10:50 am
Poster: 94
Abstract
This study delves into the dynamics of user engagement and perceptions across ephemeral and traditional social media platforms, such as Instagram stories versus Instagram posts, to uncover how content permanence influences online social interactions. Prior research has explored various aspects of social media behavior, yet the impact of content lifespan on user engagement, privacy preferences, and information sharing remains under examined. Addressing this gap, our research uniquely investigates the psychological effects of ephemeral versus persistent content and its implications for impression management and privacy concerns. We aim to measure user engagement across different content types and evaluate the sharing behaviors’ impact on social media, offering insights into user preferences for content sharing methods. By hypothesizing that users maintain consistency in their permanent posts and utilize alternative sharing options for inconsistent content, this study seeks to demonstrate the psychological benefits of multiple sharing methods, particularly for users with a high need for structure. The findings are expected to inform stakeholders on enhancing user experience and guiding the evolution of social media interactions.
