Graduation Year

2018

Document Type

Thesis

Degree

M.A.

Degree Name

Master of Arts (M.A.)

Degree Granting Department

Mass Communications

Major Professor

Scott S. Liu, Ph.D.

Committee Member

Justin Brown, Ph.D.

Committee Member

Roxanne Watson, Ph.D.

Keywords

privacy, Instagram, Twitter, Kuwait

Abstract

This qualitative descriptive study explores privacy issues on social networking sites among young Kuwaiti females and their behavior when protecting their information. In this study, two of the most prominent social networking sites in Kuwait were selected to investigate Kuwaiti females’ privacy concerns. These platforms are Instagram and Twitter. The research was guided by two questions: What information do Kuwaiti females disclose on Instagram and Twitter? How do Instagram and Twitter differ in managing privacy?

Participants of this research are 15 young Kuwait females studying at Kuwait university in different educational fields. The data collection method used was semi-structured, face-to-face interviews. This method helped gaining a deeper understanding of their privacy views and SNS use. The findings revealed many issues voiced by young Kuwaiti females, such as the type of information shared on both platforms, their privacy concerns, cultural beliefs, and other influences that shaped their Instagram and Twitter use.

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