The Relationship between the Use of Emoticons and Virtual Engagement on Facebook among the Expatriates in the UAE

Authors

Amr Assad, Applied Media Department, Abu Dhabi Women’s College, Higher Colleges of Technology, Abu Dhabi, UAEFollow

Abstract

This study explores the practice of utilizing emoticons on Facebook and the different levels of virtual engagement according to gender among the expatriates in United Arab Emirates. The primary responses from 236 expatriates were collected using survey questionnaire. The data collected included demographic variables that constitute gender, age and nationality, frequency, social engagement level and motives of use of emoticons. The variables were analyzed using frequencies, correlations and t- tests. The results of the analysis show that both males and females used emoticons on Facebook; however, emoticons were used more frequently in personal communication than on official chats. It was further found that the main motives for the utilization of emoticons were to express emotions and to enhance the meaning of chat.

Recommended Citation

Assad, Amr (2022) "The Relationship between the Use of Emoticons and Virtual Engagement on Facebook among the Expatriates in the UAE," Information Sciences Letters: Vol. 11 : Iss. 2 , PP -.
Available at: https://digitalcommons.aaru.edu.jo/isl/vol11/iss2/14