Uses and gratifications of Facebook : the participatory culture of Lebanese users

Abstract

The surge in number of facebook users over the last years has been propelled by their needs for social integration, self-expression, and information seeking. This paper explored the motivations for using Facebook, and the gratifications Lebanese users derive from those uses. Moreover, this study examined the frequency of facebook participation of the Lebanese user. A literature review was done on the scholarly research covering the areas of social networking sites, new media and uses and gratifications theory. The theoretical framework was used to determine what are the motivations for Facebook uses, and what needs were fulfilled by Facebook. To test these needs and their satisfaction, this employed an online survey. The data was then analyzed and the results presented and discussed. This thesis found out that the Lebanese population has rather experience in using Facebook, the majority accessed the social network on a daily basis, spending an average of at least two hours. Results revealed that Lebanese participants use Facebook for surveillance and entertainment reasons, although their initial participation in Face book is driven by their social integrative motivational need. And finally Lebanese Facebook users are passive spectators in their Facebook participation.