Reclaiming the Feed: Examining and Transforming Social Media Scrolling for Young Women Through Peer Discussion

• In Event: Student Forum Roundtables Session
  In Refereed Roundtable (90 minute): Roundtable 9: Social Media and Digital Culture

Abstract

Social media scrolling has long been recognized as a powerful, but often harmful, force in young women’s lives. Yet little research has focused on how women themselves subjectively experience social media scrolling and reckon with its impact on their lives, which has limited the development of effective interventions or resources. This study uses focus groups with young female-identified social media users to explore how they understand scrolling, and how intentionality and peer dialogue can transform it into a more positive tool. The author found that young women are troubled by a variety of aspects of scrolling. They often feel ashamed of the content they consume, are unable to engage with content critically due to the mindlessness of scrolling, and find themselves confused and isolated as they navigate this process alone. However, discussing these experiences with peers proved effective in transforming negative emotions into pride and awareness, as well as building a sense of community and mutual support. These findings suggest that peer-based, dialogical approaches to young women’s scrolling are both effective and highly desired. Connection and conversation can aid young women in creating personalized scrolling strategies, making sense of complex feelings and reactions, and collectively redefining and reclaiming their social media use. Accordingly, this article offers a replicable model for fostering wellbeing in relation to scrolling that moves beyond restriction to centre young women’s lived experiences and needs.

Author

• Maia Cassie, University of Toronto