Faces on Facebook: A study of self-presentation and social support on Facebook

Abstract

The study is to examine if self-presentation is related to the use of Facebook and social support sought and received on Facebook among university students. The Symbolic Interactionism and the Uses and Gratifications theory were used. Questionnaire survey was conducted with a non-random sample of 202 undergraduates from the Department of Applied Social Studies at City University of Hong Kong to find out the patterns of usage on Facebook, and the relationship between self-presentation and social support on Facebook. It was reported that students tended to interact with friends rather than have self-updates on Facebook. Besides, students were found to be consistent in shaping their behaviors and presenting themselves according to their desired image. Furthermore, supplication as looking weak was found to have the greatest expectation in seeking and receiving the total social support on Facebook. The level of satisfaction on what students were received on Facebook was in moderate, towards satisfied.