Investigating the Effect of Social Media on Dependency and Communication Practices in Emirati Society

Round 1

Reviewer 1 Report

The title, summary and keywords are specific and consistent with the content of the article. The work is an investigation into the effect of social networks on media dependence, analyzing factors in the family and friends and work dimensions.

The object of study can be considered current, since the study of social networks and their effects is a prolific area.

The structure of the article is clear and follows the outline of introduction, method, results and discussion, which is consistent with a research work and understandable for the reader.

Using the theoretical framework of media dependency theory, it conducts a quantitative survey and applies the statistical analysis methodology with the partial least squares structural equation model (PLS-SEM).

The objective specified in the work is: to examine the impacts of social networks on the lives of users in terms of their dependence on communication, analyzing communication with friends, family and professional connections.

The way in which the objective is approached is innovative in its methodology, although a research question in the introduction could lay a firmer path for the argument of the work.

A review of the literature is carried out with references and acceptable length regarding the topic under study.

Regarding the sample used, it can be seen that the majority are young people, since the largest number is between 16 and 22 years old, with the 19-20 year old group being the most represented (50.5%), while the 23 or above is 11.3%. This is a clear limitation of the study, since it would be more convenient to position it as a study carried out on young people and not on all age groups of society.

It is not specified how missing values that could be found in the records have been treated, whether they have been replaced by the mean for example.

The methodology used has been carried out correctly, following all the usual steps of this type of analysis, firstly evaluating the reflective measurement model, with internal consistency with Cronbach's alpha, convergent and discriminant validity, and secondly evaluating the structural model.

It is a very positive contribution to literature.

Items with very low loadings were eliminated from the measurement model, and the resulting model obtained significance in its hypotheses.

In this case, the data on coefficients of determination (R²) are missing, which are not reported in the text prior to the size of the effects (f²), it would also be interesting to provide the predictive relevance of the model (Q²). This would help to assess whether the model has sufficient predictive capacity and to understand more directly what percentage of the variance of the variables is explained by the model.

Author Response

Point by Point Response to the Reviewers

Reviewer # 1

Dear Sir/Madam,

Thank you for your efforts and encouraging remarks. We have carefully read the complete report and we appreciate your time and your response. We have carefully revised the manuscript as you suggested. Details of the revisions are given below.

1. It is not specified how missing values that could be found in the records have been treated, whether they have been replaced by the mean for example.

Thank you for raising this concern. The missing values remained below 15 for each construct, so we proceeded further without replacing them as they remained under the acceptable range. However, your point is valid and to further justify to, we have added MVA table and justification in the revised version. Table 2. Missing Value Analysis (MVA)

2. In this case, the data on coefficients of determination (R²) are missing, which are not reported in the text prior to the size of the effects (f²), it would also be interesting to provide the predictive relevance of the model (Q²). This would help to assess whether the model has sufficient predictive capacity and to understand more directly what percentage of the variance of the variables is explained by the model.

Thank you for your suggestion. We have added both Coefficients of Determination and Q² to improve the quality of statistical analysis. Table 8 and Table, accompanied by explanation, are indicating the both analyses in the revised version.

Thank you

Reviewer 2 Report

See the review report.

Comments for author File: Comments.pdf

Author Response

Point by Point Response to the Reviewer 2

Reviewer # 2

Dear Sir/Madam,

Thank you for your consideration and encouragement. We appreciate your constructive comments and suggestions. Based on your suggestions, we have carefully made the following revisions as suggested.

1. The introduction should formulate more clearly the research gap that the research fills and justifies the need to undertake it.

Thank you for your suggestion. The gaps are added as follows.

“Further, this investigation addresses a significant gap in the literature by focusing especially on the Emirati context, recognizing that cultural nuances and societal norms play an influential role in shaping social media usage patterns. Focusing on the specific population, the research can uncover insights that may not readily apply to other cultural contexts. Also, by investigating dependency and communication practices, the study takes a comprehensive approach, acknowledging that these two constructs are intricately linked to social media usage. This dual focus adds depth and richness to the research, allowing for a more complex understanding of how social media impacts these aspects of Emirati society.”

2. The theoretical part does not indicate the negative aspects of using social media, it focuses rather on the positive aspects, which does not provide an objective approach to the problem (see for example: Vural, O. F., Positive and negative aspects of using social networks in higher education: A focus group study. Educational Research and Reviews, 2015; Yilmazsoy, B., Kahraman, M., Kose, U., Negative Aspects of Using Social Networks in Education: A Brief Review on WhatsApp Example. Journal of Educational Technology and Online Learning, 2020)

The theoretical part is revised as suggested. The following revisions are done accordingly.

“However, Qi (2019) argued that excessive engagement with social media platforms can potentially harm academic performance. It highlights that while social media provides a platform for connectivity and information sharing, it can also serve as a source of distraction, leading to reduced focus and productivity in academic tasks. Also, strong social connections through platforms can amplify the impact of social media on task performance. This implies that close relationships within the online sphere may amplify both positive and negative consequences of social media use. In another study, Yilmazsoy et al. (2020) highlighted the detrimental effects of incorporating social networks, specifically WhatsApp, particularly for young students. As noted, while social networks can serve as practical tools for communication and collaboration, they can also introduce distractions and potential privacy concerns in an educational context. Thus, excessive use of social networking platforms can divert students' attention from their studies, leading to decreased focus and academic performance.”

3. In the Discussion section, research on the use of social media during the pandemic in other countries should be mentioned in order to make a comparative analysis and indicate similarities or differences.

Thank you for your suggestion. The discussion is revised as suggested. We ave added the following revisions to the revised version according to our approach and understandimg.

“However, it is worth noting that the global nature of the pandemic necessitated an increased reliance on digital platforms, including social media, for information dissemination, social interactions, and professional connections. For example, a study by Bellmann et al.(2021)examining the role of social media during the COVID-19 pandemic among German DAX companies revealed crucial insights into crisis communication and competence on platforms like Facebook. Furthermore, Politte-Corn et al. (2022) conducted a study regarding social media use and perceived stress during the pandemic, providing an additional perspective. Their research highlights the complex interplay between social media engagement, perceived social support, and stress levels, indicating that the impact of social media on individuals' well-being can vary significantly based on the context and the support structures in place. Thus, when considering these broader insights, it is essential to note that while some overarching trends may be applicable universally, the unique cultural and societal dynamics of Emirati society may introduce distinct nuances in the relationship between social media, dependency, and communication practices. These factors may include distinct cultural norms, traditions, and values that shape the way individuals in Emirati society engage with social media platforms.