The Relationship Between Social Media Use and Trends Toward Conspicuous Consumption Among Female University Students

Abstract

The study aimed to reveal the relationship between social media use among university students and their attitudes toward conspicuous consumption. To achieve the study objectives, the descriptive analytical method was employed, utilizing a questionnaire as the primary tool for data collection. The sample consisted of 190 female students from Sirte University, selected through a simple random sampling method. The results indicated that the level of social media usage among the students was higher than the average, with daily use being common, particularly for educational purposes. Furthermore, the findings demonstrated that social media does not exert a significant impact on the students' outward behavior, as their engagement with these platforms tends to be conscious and practical rather than being driven by appearances or imitation. Despite this practical orientation, the statistical analysis revealed a significant relationship at the significance level (0.00) between social media usage and girls' attitudes toward conspicuous consumption. Additionally, the study found statistically significant differences in these attitudes attributable to variables such as the specific college and social status. The study concludes by recommending the enhancement of digital awareness among students regarding promotional and appearance-based content, while encouraging the utilization of social platforms to support academic learning.