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The aim of this study is to identify the factors affecting the credibility of electronic word-of-mouth (eWOM) stimulation through Social Networking Sites (SNSs) through an empirical model providing both theoretical understandings and practical implications. The proposed framework explicates the consumer’s use of SNSs as a tool for information sharing and its effect on brand image and online purchase intentions. The consumer survey was done through a structured questionnaire developed in accordance with the literature. Data was collected from 256 respondents, using both offline and online modes from 4 different cities of India. Structural Equation Modeling was employed to estimate the proposed model and determine the antecedents of consumer eWOM credibility and in turn its effect on brand image leading to consumer purchase intentions. The results show SNS activities play a significant role in creating eWOM credibility, which leads to shaping the brand image and purchase intentions. The findings would help companies to create a positive brand image to enhance their purchase intentions through eWOM aroused via SNSs.

Parents sharing information about their children on social network sites (SNSs) (i.e., sharenting) is common today. However, previous work confronting parents’ and adolescents’ views on sharenting and related privacy concerns is limited. Therefore, the present study scrutinizes parents’ motives for sharenting and adolescents’ attitudes toward sharenting and negotiated privacy management strategies. Communication Privacy Management (CPM) was used as a theoretical framework. Based on 30 semi-structured interviews, two motives for sharenting were identified. Parents share information about their adolescent children because they are proud of their offspring or to inform family and friends. In turn, adolescents’ approval of their parents’ sharenting behavior depends on the content parents disclose online. Adolescents perceive sharenting as positive as long as they are nicely portrayed and positive events are shared. Additionally, both adolescents and parents are concerned about the child’s online privacy. They adopt several strategies to respect privacy boundaries and to avoid privacy turbulence.

People from marginalized groups are often discriminated against in traditional recruitment processes. Yet as companies faced with skill shortages change their recruitment strategies, the question arises as to whether modern recruitment trends such as the use of professional social network sites, active sourcing, and recruitment assignment to external agencies are affected by implicit or explicit discrimination. In our mixed-method study, we first conducted expert interviews with different types of recruiters to explore the potential for discrimination in the modern recruitment process. We then analyzed panel data from the Institute for Employment Research (IAB) in Germany to see whether there is quantitative evidence of discrimination in modern recruitment. A content analysis of the interviews shows that active sourcing and assignment of recruitment to private agencies are potentially affected by explicit discrimination. We identified three sources of discrimination in personnel selection: recruiters' own attitudes, explicit instructions from managers, and the recruiters' assumptions regarding companies' preferred candidates. The results of mixed multilevel analyses with the company as a second level resonate with the qualitative findings: companies actively approach female employees, older employees, and employees who are born in Southern/Eastern Europe less often and offer women jobs less often. The effects for gender were still significant when we included far-right voting as a moderator variable on the employee level, but the interactions were not significant. Effects for gender and older people in active sourcing were also significant and robust when controlling for income, number of children, level of school completion, and educational background. Our findings suggest that current legislation may be insufficient to protect candidates who belong to marginalized groups from discrimination in modern recruitment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

People from marginalized groups are often discriminated against in traditional recruitment processes. Yet as companies faced with skill shortages change their recruitment strategies, the question arises as to whether modern recruitment trends such as the use of professional social network sites, active sourcing, and recruitment assignment to external agencies are affected by implicit or explicit discrimination. In our mixed-method study, we first conducted expert interviews with different types of recruiters to explore the potential for discrimination in the modern recruitment process. We then analyzed panel data from the Institute for Employment Research (IAB) in Germany to see whether there is quantitative evidence of discrimination in modern recruitment. A content analysis of the interviews shows that active sourcing and assignment of recruitment to private agencies are potentially affected by explicit discrimination. We identified three sources of discrimination in personnel selection: recruiters’ own attitudes, explicit instructions from managers, and the recruiters’ assumptions regarding companies’ preferred candidates. The results of mixed multilevel analyses with the company as a second level resonate with the qualitative findings: companies actively approach female employees, older employees, and employees who are born in Southern/Eastern Europe less often and offer women jobs less often. The effects for gender were still significant when we included far-right voting as a moderator variable on the employee level, but the interactions were not significant. Effects for gender and older people in active sourcing were also significant and robust when controlling for income, number of children, level of school completion, and educational background. Our findings suggest that current legislation may be insufficient to protect candidates who belong to marginalized groups from discrimination in modern recruitment.

Student interaction is a pivotal element in any educational environment. Accordingly, employing technologies to increase these educational interactions has attracted both instructors’ and students’ attention. This qualitative paper investigated the means of employing Telegram, a social network site (SNS), to increase students’ educational interactions and explore their perceptions of using it as an interactional medium in a university course. A thematic analysis was applied to assess data collected from the posts of 77 university students in three Telegram groups created for this course and the students’ reflection papers required at the end of the course. This study’s findings identified several instructional activities that can be employed on Telegram to enhance students’ interactions, as well as presented how students interact with their instructor and each other on Telegram. The findings also highlighted the students’ perceptions of Telegram as a technology to enhance their course interactions, including the advantages and disadvantages of using Telegram in this course. Implications of this study can allow university instructors and policymakers to reconsider their teaching methods and even encourage using Telegram or similar SNSs to aid students’ learning. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this study is to identify the factors affecting the credibility of electronic word-of- mouth (eWOM) stimulation through Social Networking Sites (SNSs) through an empirical model providing both theoretical understandings and practical implications. The proposed framework explicates the consumer's use of SNSs as a tool for information sharing and its effect on brand image and online purchase intentions. The consumer survey was done through a structured questionnaire developed in accordance with the literature. Data was collected from 256 respondents, using both offline and online modes from 4 different cities of India. Structural Equation Modeling was employed to estimate the proposed model and determine the antecedents of consumer eWOM credibility and in turn its effect on brand image leading to consumer purchase intentions. The results show SNS activities play a significant role in creating eWO Mcredibility, which leads to shaping the brand image and purchase intentions. The findings would help companies to create a positive brand image to enhance their purchase intentions through eWOM aroused via SNSs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study applied a novel theoretical framework of communication privacy management theory (CPM) to examine how criteria such as context, culture, and privacy motivation influence information boundary coordination rules (boundary linkage, ownership, and permeability rules) on Facebook. In particular, the current study has made an initial attempt to examine how the CPM's boundary coordination rules are related as a process to make disclosures; how to manage connections (boundary linkage rule) and how to regulate information flow (boundary ownership rule) influence how much to disclose (boundary permeability rule) on Facebook. The study recruited active Facebook users (N = 397, Mage = 20.68, SDage = 3.63) in a large northeastern US university to complete an online survey in fall 2015. A structural equation model was proposed to test the hypothesized paths among variables proposed to build the model. Findings reveal that context (perceptions of boundless communication) and privacy motivation led to the coordination of strict boundary ownership rules for disclosure on Facebook. The context and privacy motivation however differ in their influence on the coordination of boundary linkage rule; the more individuals felt the greater need for privacy, the less likely that they attempted to create connection whereas perceiving a lack of boundaries in communication did not influence the pursuance of future connections. The culture (the goal of using Facebook for making friends) did not predict either the coordination of the boundary linkage rule or the boundary ownership rule. As expected, the coordination of the boundary linkage rule positively influenced the coordination of the permeability rule (depth of disclosure), but the coordination of the boundary ownership rule negatively influenced it. The statistical test suggested an addition of a path from the boundary ownership to the boundary linkage rule, generating an implication that the regulation of information flow (privacy desire) and managing networks (connection desire) work together in disclosure decisions. Implications of the findings on different roles of privacy motivation and context in forming privacy management and disclosure tendency are discussed to advance the modeling of comprehensive information boundary management for disclosures on SNSs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: As we age, our social relationships tend to dissipate due to changing life circumstances. This reduction in social relations for older adults tends to negatively impact the quality of life, in the form of increased social isolation and loneliness. Objective: The purpose of this study is to gain further understanding of how the different facets of using Social Network Sites (SNSs) can influence social relationships and the bonding and bridging social capital of older adults. Method: A theoretical model and hypotheses were developed to reflect social relationships and a structural equation approach was utilized to test the model. This involved an online survey in Canada that collected data from 330 participants over the age of 65 that use SNSs. Results: The empirical results suggest that how SNSs are used does impact whether social connections are enhanced or maintained. The active use of SNSs, along with the number and type of contacts, has a positive effect on social relationships. Yet, more intensive use of SNSs does not influence social relationships. In fact, the types of messages, either informational or private, that are exchanged differed in their impact on social relationships. Private message content positively affects close relationships and informational content positively affects weak social relationships. Conclusion: The study found that certain components of SNSs use have a positive effect on older adult relationships. This study enriches and extends the literature pertaining to SNSs influence on social capital. It has created new facets of SNSs use, while also studying a combination of previously examined facets together to create more clarity on their influence on social capital. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Extending prior literature on stereotypes about ethnic groups and warranting theory, this experimental study examined the effects of exposure to a target Chinese international student's Facebook page with self-generated (stereotypically positive or negative) and/or other-generated wall posts (stereotypically positive or negative) on U.S. participants' (N = 550, Mage = 21.38, SD = 3.82) perceptions of task attractiveness and behavioral tendencies (i.e., willingness to communicate/ cooperate) toward the target. Supporting warranting theory, results demonstrated that when other-generated posts were present and disconfirmed the Facebook page owner's self-generated posts, other-generated posts mitigated the effects of self-generated posts in most cases. However, when other-generated and self-generated wall posts were consistent, other-generated posts produced an averaging effect. In addition, the type of dependent measure, and the dynamic interplay between stereotype content and the valence of self-generated posts also mitigated the warranting effect of other-generated posts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Social grooming behaviors on social media contribute to one's social capital and well-being. This study considered common types of social interactions on social media and proposes a social grooming style framework developed through signaling theory. Unlike the previous research, which has examined a single type of social grooming behavior, this study examined many behaviors simultaneously to identify a social grooming style. With a nationally representative sample from Taiwan (N = 1,350), a latent class analysis (LCA) revealed five social grooming styles: image managers, social butterflies, trend followers, maintainers, and lurkers. Social grooming style is significantly associated with social capital and well-being. Image managers receive the most social benefits, whereas lurkers receive the fewest. Social butterflies have considerable bridging social capital and well-being but the least bonding social capital. The results suggest that the rich may get richer, but only if the engaged social grooming style is strategic. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Populism has become prevalent all across the globe. To date, however, we know too little about the ways in which populist discourse is constructed by citizens on social media. To advance the field, this study draws on a qualitative content analysis of Facebook posts by ordinary citizens in the Netherlands. The results indicate that Facebook offers a discursive opportunity structure for Dutch citizens to vent their populist discontent and to interact with like-minded others. Online populist discourse on Facebook is hostile and uncivil, predominately targeted at the elites and marginalized groups in society. By providing insights into how ordinary citizens construct the boundary between "us" and "them," this article enhances our understanding of the construction of citizens' populist discourse on social network sites (SNSs), and how these expressions contradict the principles of democratic communication. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In 2007 Ellison, Steinfield, and Lampe published an article on the positive association between Facebook use and social capital that started a decade of research on the social outcomes of social network site use. Although cited almost 9,000 times, it received critique on the conceptualization and operationalization of Facebook use and social capital. In this study we replicate Ellison et al.’s study with original and alternative measures of social capital and Facebook use, thereby shedding light on the robustness, stability, and ecological validity of the original findings. We found that Facebook intensity positively predicts the original social capital measures, lending support to the validity of the original findings. Its relationship with structural measures, however, was weak for bridging and absent for bonding social capital. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Freehand sketching is one of the most important and commonly used methods of generating and sharing budding ideas during the conceptual development portion of the preliminary phase of design. To develop one’s skills, prolonged practice, acquiring instant feedback and suggestions while practicing are invaluable. The two key and indispensable parts of learning draftsmanship are viewing and commenting on large numbers of free hand sketches. However, due to insufficient educational resources, instructors must spend most of their time engaged in class-room teaching, reducing the time allotted for one-on-one discussion and specialized assistance. Furthermore, the lack of sketch grading criteria can prevent students from developing proper insights into the essentials of sketching. As a result, students neither receive personalized feedback nor acquire adequate training in critiquing freehand sketching skills. These factors decrease learning effectiveness and negatively impact learning motivation. In order to solve this problem, this research has created a discussion platform on Facebook that utilizes the learning characteristics essential to developing proficiency in freehand sketching. It includes practice, observation, and comments. It has been found that this cultivates the subjects’ ability to judge freehand sketch quality and increases learning motivation and effectiveness through the process of peer-assessment. After participating in the one-semester teaching experiment, the abilities of the experimental group were significantly better than those of the control group, demonstrating that the online sketch discussion platform has a significant impact on freehand sketch learning. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study examines the effects of profile browsing on social network sites (SNSs) on social capital via information propagation between users. We analyze data from a study of 42 million users of the Chinese equivalent of Facebook called Renren, with over 1.8 million profile browsing events collected unobtrusively from the network to understand the prevalence and nature of "passive" profile browsing versus more visible forms of social interaction. Results show that profile browsing is more frequent than visible interaction on the SNS and can be modeled on the basis of a user's network size, account longevity, and production or reception of visible content. Drawing upon scholarship on social capital, we then evaluate the capacity of profile browsing to propagate information within the network and thus to affect bridging social capital. Our results challenge some commonly-held notions about profile consumption behavior on SNSs and its capacity to increase social capital. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article presents a case study of student-initiated use of Facebook Groups in doing a team project for an online journalism course. Drawing upon the concept of affinity space and a theoretical taxonomy of asynchronous online discussion, the present study triangulates classroom observation, semi-structured student interviews, and microanalysis of posting activities of a student-initiated Facebook group. The findings suggest a shift of attention from instructor-centered course design to student-initiated use of social networking sites for learning online journalism. Instructors are invited to position themselves as facilitators and to take an intersubjective stance when designing computer-assisted learning activities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Social network sites (SNSs) have been found to be closely associated with responses to social exclusion and to impact people with high or low levels of social anxiety in different ways. Our study tested whether social anxiety, an individual difference variable, affected the association between SNSs and responses to social exclusion. A Cyberball game was conducted to create social exclusion, followed by a waiting period during which participants were observed to see whether they would choose to use SNSs. Afterwards, recovery from participants' negative responses to exclusion was measured. Results showed that using SNSs benefited the highly socially anxious (HSA) group in terms of recovering from disconnection and feeling a sense of meaningful existence more than the low socially anxious (LSA) group. However, recovery from disconnection was lower for LSA individuals who used SNSs than those who did not use SNSs. Our research suggests that SNSs benefited HSA individuals after social exclusion, but hindered the recovery of LSA individuals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The prevalence of social network sites (SNSs) has sparked a growing interest in understanding the development of problematic SNSs use among adolescents. Yet, this nascent area of research is marked by some deficiencies in existing theoretical paradigms. This article seeks to review the state of research in problematic SNSs use-- broadly with a specific focus on adolescents--and identify key areas of research for future scholarly work. First, we summarize the historical and recent developments of media addiction and problematic SNSs use research. Second, we discuss the theoretical perspectives that contribute to our understanding of the problematic SNSs use phenomenon and identify the weaknesses of these frameworks. Third, we propose that communication scholars should strive for theoretical integration and examine the impact of microsystem (e.g. parents and peers) and macrosystem (e.g. surveillance culture) on the development of problematic SNSs among adolescents. Directions for future theoretical and methodological approaches are suggested. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the present research, two studies examined how self-construal and public self-consciousness jointly influence positive self-presentation in online social networking. Participants’ independent and interdependent self-construals were either measured (Study 1, N = 137) or manipulated with priming (Study 2, N = 120). Public self-consciousness was measured with self-report ratings in both studies. Participants self-reported their tendency (Study 1) and behavioral intention (Study 2) to engage in positive self-presentation on Facebook. Both studies were conducted with college student Facebook users in South Korea. Results from both studies demonstrated no main effect of self-construal but a significant interaction between self-construal and public self-consciousness. Specifically, the negative association between interdependent self-construal and positive self-presentation on Facebook was significant among those low in public self-consciousness; the association became less prominent for those higher in public self-consciousness (Study 1). When self-construal was experimentally manipulated, interdependent self-construal priming, as compared with independent self-construal priming, resulted in lower intention to engage in positive self-presentation, particularly among those low in public self-consciousness (Study 2). The implications of the findings were discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Itobiad: Journal of the Human & Social Science Researches / İnsan ve Toplum Bilimleri Araştırmaları Dergisi is the property of Itobiad: Journal of the Human & Social Science Researches and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

As online learning has increased a number of researchers have focused on the need to integrate techniques to strengthen students' social presence ties in online learning. Social networking sites (SNSs) have been suggested as an effective tool to increase social presence. To investigate the effects of students' social networking experience on social presence and their perceptions of using SNSs for educational purpose, students (n = 82) at a large public university were surveyed. Results show that students use SNSs frequently and actively for various reasons in their daily life and they showed a positive perceptions of using SNSs for educational purposes. Results also revealed the intensity of using social networking experience does not have significant correlation to students' perceived social presence but does have a positive influence on students' perceptions of using SNSs for educational purposes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

While the nature of composition on Facebook has become a common topic of interest in composition journals, how gender identification affects Facebook use has not been studied. This study gives an overview of differences between women and men in Facebook usage based on a large-scale survey of first-year composition students about their Facebook use. Among the findings of the survey are that women tend to have had Facebook profiles for longer, use Facebook more, and are more thoughtful about their Facebook use. The researcher uses these findings to suggest drawing on previous studies related to gender and composition in the study of Web 2.0 technologies in computers and writing literature. The findings also suggest an exploration of gender and other identity markers may be fruitful when using social network sites in first-year composition classes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article presents results of a survey of 474 first-year composition students about their Facebook use. Findings suggest that students do not see Facebook and first-year composition as being related. However, students seem to enact certain skills from first-year composition on Facebook, such as audience awareness, awareness of rhetorical situation, invention, and even process writing. Other findings include that students who like writing or thought they were good writers were more likely to see a connection between Facebook and first-year composition, that students were much more likely to use privacy settings than previous research suggests, and that there was a strong correlation between how often students perceived certain groups viewing their content on Facebook and how often they had that group in mind when posting. These implications suggest that making students aware of these practices on Facebook may make it easier for students to more clearly see connections between composing practices on Facebook and in first-year composition. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present research investigated how individual, interpersonal, and cultural variables influence positive self-presentation in online social networking. In particular, we examined the role of self-consciousness, actual-to-total Friends ratio, and culture in positive self-presentation on Facebook. A cross-sectional survey was conducted with college-age participants in the United States ( n = 183) and South Korea ( n = 137). Results showed that self-consciousness (public vs. private) and actual-to-total Friends ratio were not significantly associated with positive self-presentation on Facebook; however, culture showed a statistically significant association with positive self-presentation on Facebook, with the U.S. participants engaging in positive self-presentation on Facebook to a greater extent than the South Korean participants. More interestingly, culture significantly moderated the relationship between public self-consciousness and positive self-presentation as well as the relationship between actual-to-total Friends ratio and positive self-presentation. Specifically, positive self-presentation showed a significant positive association with public self-consciousness and a significant negative association with actual-to-total Friends ratio only among the South Korean participants and not among the U.S. participants. Theoretical and practical implications for understanding cross-cultural differences in self-presentation behaviors on social network sites were discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Highlights: [•] We study the relationship between eWOM, value co-creation, and purchase intention. [•] We show that trust moderates the impact of eWOM on purchase intention. [•] We show that value co-creation moderates the impact of eWOM on purchase intention. [•] We show that value co-creation affects purchase intention. [•] We show that the message source in SNS moderates on the impact of eWOM. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The privacy paradox describes people's willingness to disclose personal information on social network sites despite expressing high levels of concern. In this study, we employ the distinction between institutional and social privacy to examine this phenomenon. We investigate what strategies undergraduate students have developed, and their motivations for using specific strategies. We employed a mixed-methods approach that included 77 surveys and 21 in-depth interviews. The results suggest that, in addition to using the default privacy settings, students have developed a number of strategies to address their privacy needs. These strategies are used primarily to guard against social privacy threats and consist of excluding contact information, using the limited profile option, untagging and removing photographs, and limiting Friendship requests from strangers. Privacy strategies are geared toward managing the Facebook profile, which we argue functions as a front stage. This active profile management allows users to negotiate the need for connecting on Facebook with the desire for increased privacy. Thus, users disclose information, because they have made a conscious effort to protect themselves against potential violations. We conclude that there is a tilt toward social privacy concerns. Little concern was raised about institutional privacy and no strategies were in place to protect against threats from the use of personal data by institutions. This is relevant for policy discussions, because it suggests that the collection, aggregation, and utilization of personal data for targeted advertisement have become an accepted social norm. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Two studies investigated (a) how public figures’ interaction with their followers on social network sites (SNS) affects individuals’ impressions about and attitudes toward them, and (b) how individuals’ interpersonal orientation moderates such effects, if any. In Study 1, participants viewed either a famous actor’s Twitter page or a news article merely relaying his Tweets. Exposure to the Twitter page (vs. news article) induced stronger feelings of actual conversation (i.e., social presence) among less affiliative individuals, whereas the reverse was true for more socially proactive ones. Social presence, in turn, facilitated parasocial interaction with the target and heightened the participants’ willingness to watch his movie, with limited effects on their overall evaluation of the target. Study 2, which employed a lesser known local politician using a different microblogging service, replicated the advantage of SNS communication over the news article for socially reserved individuals, with no corresponding effect for more affiliative ones. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

This study highlights a segment of a larger study that explores the discourse of social network sites. These social sites such as Twitter, Facebook and Myspace have become such an intriguing social media that there is a growing need among educationalists to explore their impact in the field of teaching and learning. In Malaysia, Facebook is one of the most popular social network sites. Therefore, this study aims to investigate the potential of Facebook as an English language learning tool in Malaysia. It employs both qualitative and quantitative measures in order to analyze the extent of construction of knowledge on the postings on the Facebook walls. Preliminary findings reveal that FB could indeed be an online tool that trigger reflective thinking, construct knowledge and consequently enhance learning. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of International Online Journal of Educational Sciences is the property of International Online Journal of Educational Sciences and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Renren and Kaixin, which are Chinese versions of “Facebook”, are the main Social Network Sites (SNSs) in China. Although many researchers have been exploring SNSs usage and have gained rich results, there are limited studies for the understanding of SNSs usage in China. In this present study, with 777 Chinese participants, we test variables influencing Chinese SNSs usage based on the technology acceptance model (TAM). Using structural equation modeling techniques, the empirical results confirm that the perceived ease of use significantly determines the perceived usefulness, which in turn influences SNSs use intensity. Meanwhile, the Internet self-efficacy could affect perceived ease of use and further determine SNSs use intensity indirectly. Overall, our results could be used to describe and predict SNSs usage among Chinese Internet users. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The long-lasting impact of COVID-19 forced governments to continue with distance learning. Due to the absence of a formal digital learning management system (DLMS), public universities in many countries adopted social network sites (SNSs), e.g., Facebook and WhatsApp, and/or digital communication platforms, e.g., Microsoft (MS) Teams and Zoom for teaching and learning. This research investigates students' learning experiences and responses to course/s incorporating SNSs and MS Teams as a sole distance learning platform during COVID-19. An online, pre-tested, questionnaire was used, directed at bachelor students in public institutions in Egypt, offering tourism and hotel programs, who received their courses using both SNSs and MS Teams. The results showed that the usage of both SNSs and MS Teams helped students to access information and learning resources, have good impact on their knowledge construction and critical refection, and report overall positive learning experience. The results of paired-samples t-test showed statistically significant differences between students' experiences of course/s incorporating SNSs and MS Teams. However, students recorded limited support by their educators and peers and low participation in course activities that adopted MS Teams. They also reported poor assessment and feedback with course/s that incorporated SNSs. Hence, several implications for scholars, policymakers, and educators were presented for achieving better learning experience and to cope with the pandemic or similar crises, especially in universities with poor infrastructure, including unavailability of DLMS. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]