Beyond the feed: Examining college students' social media exposure to content related to Black communities

Given the prevalence of social media use among Americans under 30 and the prevalence of race-related content on social media, this study identifies the content related to Black communities that emerging adults are exposed to on social media. Focus group data were collected from a sample of ethnically and racially diverse college students (Asian American, Black, Hispanic/Latinx, and white). Through a content analysis, this study found that racialized political content, Black racial discrimination experiences, non-affirming and affirming identity messages, and racial group comparisons were prevalent topics on social media. Situated within the developmental frameworks of social identity and emerging adulthood, I highlight the significant role of social media as an agent of racial socialization. The findings of this study contribute to the discourse on social media’s role in shaping racial perceptions among emerging adults.

Name thesis:degree_name

M.S.

Level thesis:degree_level

Thesis

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Human Dvlpmt & Family Studies

Grantor

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

Year dc:date

2024

Author dc:creator

• Alexander, Chelsea S.

Contributors dc:contributor

• Smith, Sharde
• Hardesty, Jennifer

• Social Media
• Racial Socialization
• Identity Development
• Emerging Adulthood
• College Students

Statement dc:rights

• Copyright 2024 Chelsea S. Alexander

Language dc:language

en, eng

Handle dc:identifier

https://hdl.handle.net/2142/124397

OAI record oai:identifier

https://www.ideals.illinois.edu/oai-pmh?verb=GetRecord&metadataPrefix=etdms&identifier=oai%3Awww.ideals.illinois.edu%3A2142%2F124397