"Man vill ju se bra ut" : En kvalitativ studie om ungdomars syn på sociala medier

Sammanfattning:

This thesis examines young people's thoughts about their presence on social media. With a

social constructive approach the study focused on how young people think and act on social

media in relation to constructions of gender and normality. The analysis is based on four

group interviews with 13-year old boys and girls. The theoretical approach is based partly on

social constructionism where discourses and ideas of normality are identified and analyzed.

Erving Goffman's theory of social interaction was central to illustrate how young people

presents themselves based on the prevailing discourses. It is clear that they adjust their

representations of themselves depending on the context. Theories of new media and young

people as digital natives were relevant for the study to understand how and why young people

act as they do in their use of social media. The study also highlights the ignorance of adults

perceptions about young peoples presence on social media. This is related to Stanley Cohen's

theory of moral panic. In conclusion, one can say that the interviewees are well established in

the digital media landscape and social media is a natural part of their everyday lives. They

see risks but also opportunities where they can share across social networks and be a part of

an interactive platform in constant change. The young people relate to norms and gender

constructions that are historically and culturally imprinted. On social media they perceive

themselves according to ruling discourses that makes them fit in, in the situation.