Exploring the impact of Social Networking Sites (SNSs) on modern gossip from female perspectives

Simpkin, Hannah (2017) Exploring the impact of Social Networking Sites (SNSs) on modern gossip from female perspectives. Manchester Metropolitan University. (Unpublished)

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Abstract

With many adults actively using social networking sites daily (Davidson, 2015; Prescott, 2016), this research looks at the ways social networking sites (SNSs) may impact gossiping behaviours in women. Literature commonly portrays women as either the victims or perpetrators of gossip (Subramanian, 2011), which made them the ideal population to interview. This research has taken an in depth, qualitative approach to the ways SNSs may be influencing gossiping behaviours in women. Seven semi-structured interviews were employed, using seven female participants, ages ranging from 18-30. Thematic analysis was conducting following the steps outline by Braun and Clarke (2006) and identified five themes that highlight the role SNSs has on gossiping behaviours in women. These themes were, Facebook as evidence, manipulating online gossiping evidence, accessibility to online gossiping topics, identifying gossip worthy online updates and the language surrounding online gossiping behaviours. These findings can be the starting point for future research into the area of social networking sites and gossip in women and the ways in which information from social networking sites can be spread.