Use, Perception, and Cultural Differences in the Use of Social Media among University Students in Spain, France, and Indonesia
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Abstract
This study comparatively examines social media use, perceived usefulness, and emotional impact among university students in Spain, France, and Indonesia. The objectives were to identify patterns of use and the most frequently used platforms, examine cultural differences in the evaluation of social media, explore the emotions associated with their use, and analyze their relationship with sociodemographic variables. A sequential explanatory mixed-methods design was employed, combining a survey of 254 university students with 18 in-depth interviews. Quantitative data were analyzed using Cronbach's alpha, Kolmogorov-Smirnov, Kruskal-Wallis, and chi-square tests, while qualitative data were examined through reflexive thematic analysis. The findings show that Instagram is the only platform widely used across the three countries, whereas the use, purposes, and perceived usefulness of other platforms differ significantly according to cultural context. Positive emotions related to social connection predominate, although feelings of insecurity are also reported, particularly among Indonesian students. The study concludes that Generation Z is not a homogeneous group and that digital practices are shaped by cultural, social, and regulatory factors. These findings provide useful implications for digital literacy, university well-being policies, and future cross-cultural comparative research.
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Este artículo se distribuye bajo Creative Commons Atribución-NoComercial 4.0 (CC BY-NC 4.0) .
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