Communications in Humanities Research ISSN: 2753-7072
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Research Article

Weibo and Interpersonal Relationships: An Analysis of How New Media Affects Users’ Socialisation

Chengzhi JiangUniversity College London*

* Corresponding author: [email protected]

Abstract

With the advent of social change and technological advancement, new media social networking platforms are flourishing, and Weibo is one of the most prominent among them. As one of the largest new media social networking platforms in China, Weibo has significantly impacted users’ social lives. It is possible to see new media’s impact on people’s socialisation and interpersonal relationships. This paper analyses a range of existing literature on Weibo, social networking sites, and relationships. It demonstrates that the Weibo platform has had a range of impacts in terms of social interaction, social circles, discussion of current affairs, and other aspects. The study also provides some recommendations for both users and the platform. The impact of Weibo on people’s social and interpersonal relationships has been both positive and negative. On the one hand, it has helped people make friends, discuss and express their views in new ways, disseminate important information, and help people escape isolation. On the other hand, it inevitably poses some risks in terms of social anxiety and privacy. For instance, users may feel overwhelmed by the amount of information available on Weibo or may be exposed to cyberbullying or harassment. More extensive study will be required in the future to better assess the impact of Weibo and other comparable new media platforms for social. This research focuses on understanding how these platforms affect different groups of users and how they can be used to promote positive social interactions while minimising negative ones.

Keywords: Weibo; social media platforms; socialisation
Published: December 7, 2023
DOI: 10.54254/2753-7064/20/20231321
Volume: CHR Vol.20
pp. 152-159
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