When is social media use social interaction? Defining mediated social interaction

Abstract

This investigation explores the question, when is social media use social interaction? The results of three studies indicated that social media use was rarely considered social interaction. After using social media for 5 or 10 minutes, Study 1 ( N = 116) demonstrated that infrequent, directed social media behavior (e.g. chatting, commenting) predicted having a social interaction and feeling related. Study 2 ( N = 197) used event sampling to examine participants’ social interactions with friends ( n = 2388) and found 96.5% of social interactions did not take place on social media. Study 3 ( N = 54) used experience sampling to record participants’ experiences over 5 days ( n = 1332). Social media use and social interaction occasionally co-occurred, but only 2% of social interactions took place through social media. Social interactions through social media were usually talk-focused, one-on-one exchanges with closer relational partners, and rarely undifferentiated, broadcasted, or passively consumed information shared with acquaintances.