Author: Lee, Sang Won
Title: Responsible social media : development and evaluation of key guiding principles
Advisors: Wei, Huaxin (SD)
Chow, Kenny (SD)
Degree: Ph.D.
Year: 2023
Subject: Social media -- Social aspects
Social responsibility of business
Hong Kong Polytechnic University -- Dissertations
Department: School of Design
Pages: 279 pages : color illustrations
Language: English
Abstract: This dissertation presents guidelines and frameworks for designing responsible social media services that can be used by social media practitioners and other stakeholders. Currently, social media abuses such as misinformation have significantly affected society, and filter bubbles resulting from biased algorithmic curations has driven our society towards a more polarized status. The younger generation needs to use social media-related systems to connect to online classes and communities despite lacking sufficient digital literacy. Under these situations, it is urgent and necessary to establish rules and policies for designing accountable and sustainable social media services to prevent harm and embrace the wider range of users.
This study adopted influencing approaches from Design for Behavior Change, and established a framework for the three areas to focus on: protecting privacy, raising awareness, and controlling abuse. This thesis is composed of three studies which iteratively implemented two approaches, generative and evaluative, to develop and refine a set of guidelines for responsible social media services. Study 1 conducted a systematic literature review in the three areas and current social media policy research to generate an initial set of guidelines. Study 2 and 3 evaluated and evolved these guidelines through users' experiences and experts' knowledge. The three studies resulted in a final set of 15 guidelines for designing responsible social media services in the three areas.
Along with 15 guidelines as outcomes, findings from this thesis include frameworks, considerations, and discussion around developing responsible social media services. One of the contributions of this thesis to the design practice is the 15 Responsible Social Media (RSM) guidelines, which are publicly available for social media practitioners and social media policymakers. Social media practitioners and policymakers can benefit from this study by using these guidelines to examine their current services and develop policies and related interventions. Through the three studies, transparency, sustainability, and inclusiveness were identified as important values that should be embedded in social media services. Detailed recommendations are presented as to how to deliver these values in social media services effectively.
Rights: All rights reserved
Access: open access

Files in This Item:
File Description SizeFormat 
6703.pdfFor All Users15.83 MBAdobe PDFView/Open


Copyright Undertaking

As a bona fide Library user, I declare that:

  1. I will abide by the rules and legal ordinances governing copyright regarding the use of the Database.
  2. I will use the Database for the purpose of my research or private study only and not for circulation or further reproduction or any other purpose.
  3. I agree to indemnify and hold the University harmless from and against any loss, damage, cost, liability or expenses arising from copyright infringement or unauthorized usage.

By downloading any item(s) listed above, you acknowledge that you have read and understood the copyright undertaking as stated above, and agree to be bound by all of its terms.

Show full item record

Please use this identifier to cite or link to this item: https://theses.lib.polyu.edu.hk/handle/200/12271