Abstract
Gossip is an important part of adolescent development. Although gossip can be used for negative influence, it can also be used for positive relational purposes such as establishing norms and creating intimacy. Discerning the gossip sharer’s motives is important for receivers to determine how to react. However, the lack of visual and tonal cues in online exchanges can create miscommunications and misunderstandings about gossip intentions. Research has not yet identified a theoretical framework that can address the added interpersonal challenges of sharing gossip in online settings (i.e., cybergossip). A theory to consider addressing this gap is social presence theory (SPT). This article will argue how SPT can provide a framework for understanding the motivations and needs of gossip sharers in online settings and explain how receivers can promote social presence and mitigate the spread of cybergossip.
Recommended Citation
Caivano, Oksana and Talwar, Victoria
(2023)
"Using Social Presence Theory to Understand and Reduce the Transmission of Cybergossip Among Adolescents,"
Merrill-Palmer Quarterly: Vol. 69:
Iss.
2, Article 1.
Available at:
https://digitalcommons.wayne.edu/mpq/vol69/iss2/1