GENDER DIFFERENCES IN USING SOCIAL NETWORKS

ABSTRACT

The purpose of this study is to determine individuals’ usage purposes of social networks with a focus on the possible differences between females and males. Facebook, which is one the most popular and being most widely used social network, is investigated in this study. The study group consisted of 870 Facebook users who responded an online survey designed by the researchers. Analyses of the results showed that usage purposes can be categorized under four categories, namely maintaining existing relationships, making new relationships, using for academic purposes and following specific agenda. Significant differences were found between genders in all of the purposes mentioned. While the difference on making new contacts was in favor of males, the differences on the other three user purposes were in favor of females.