Date of Conferral
2021
Degree
Ph.D.
School
Public Policy and Administration
Advisor
Yoshihiko Yoshimine
Abstract
AbstractIn the United States, many activists use social media platforms to interact with protesters to organize demonstrations and protests rapidly. Some politically motivated social gatherings are organized online without the knowledge of government or law enforcement personnel. Gatherings can become violent and result in chaos. The purpose of this research is to determine the extent to which a variety of social media platforms contribute to New York City protesters and activists’ participation in demonstrations that potentially pose a threat to the community. The study involved a qualitative methodology explicitly focused on a phenomenological understanding of responses provided by activists and protesters understood and interpreted primarily according to the social support theory developed by Park. Sixteen protesters and activists were interviewed for the study. Data were coded and themes assessed resulting in findings of that support that email remain one of the present communication mediums. At the same time, Facebook was the number one networking channel commonly used in the propaganda of news and interaction for mobilization efforts. Findings, interpretation of data, and implications will facilitate opportunities for protesters and activists to collaborate more effectively with city officials and law enforcement officers. Data revealed protesting as an effective cause for positive social change.
Recommended Citation
Abbey, Henrietta Abeley, "Social Networking as a Motivator for Social Gathering" (2021). Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies. 10627.
https://scholarworks.waldenu.edu/dissertations/10627
