Masters Theses

Keywords and Phrases

Anonymous mobile apps; Location based mobile apps; Social media; Social networking; Taboo stigma topics; Yik Yak

Abstract

"Anonymity and geolocation create a unique environment for users to communicate with each other. Discourse analysis was conducted to study the posts made on Yik Yak, an anonymous social networking mobile application to understand the communication patterns on an anonymous platform and the posts about taboo topics. The posts were analyzed specifically for patterns on taboo topics and how students interact on the anonymous platform on a particular campus (Missouri S&T campus). Student research assistants coded the collected posts into the pre-defined taboo categories namely sexual activity, non-sexual bodily functions, sexual orientation, mental/emotional health, and "other" taboo topics. I found that users post about taboo topics on Yik Yak and they do it frequently and the most talked about taboo topic is sexual activity. Users on Missouri S&T campus use the anonymous app to communicate with peers on different topics including taboo topics"--Abstract, page iii.

Advisor(s)

Northcut, Kathryn M., 1964-

Committee Member(s)

Wright, David
Bryan, Eric Shane
Hall, Richard H.

Department(s)

English and Technical Communication

Degree Name

M.S. in Technical Communication

Publisher

Missouri University of Science and Technology

Publication Date

Spring 2016

Pagination

ix, 124 pages

Note about bibliography

Includes bibliographical references (pages 121-123).

Rights

© 2016 Snehal Ravindra Shirke, All rights reserved.

Document Type

Thesis - Open Access

File Type

text

Language

English

Subject Headings

Discourse analysisOnline social networksMobile computing

Thesis Number

T 10894

Electronic OCLC #

952599836

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