Gender Difference in Social Networking on Smartphones: A Case Study of Korean College Student Smartphone Users
18 Pages Posted: 26 Mar 2015
Date Written: June 30, 2014
Abstract
This study investigated gender differences in smartphone application use and examined the gender effect in terms of social relations and social support on smartphones. Data were collected through an online survey among college student smartphone users (N=226). Results revealed that women tend to use camera on smartphones more frequently than men, while men are more likely than women to use phone calling and smartphone applications. Also, the results showed specific patterns of using smartphones for maintenance of personal relationships. When spending their time on smartphones mediated text communications, women were more likely to perceive bonding relationships strengthened, whereas men tended to perceive more bridging relationships expanded. These findings suggest that women tend to intensify close strong relationships by keeping up with friends on smartphones, while men are likely to use smartphones to expand their weak social ties.
Keywords: Gender, Smartphone use, Bonding relationship, Bridging relationship, Social support
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