From Stickers to Personas: Utilizing Instant Messaging Stickers for Impression Management by Gen Z

Haoran Qiu, Dion Hoe Lian Goh, Ruoxi Liu, Peter J. Schulz

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference contributionpeer-review

Abstract

The present study investigated how and why Generation Z (Gen Z) individuals utilize stickers for impression management in instant messaging (IM) applications, as well as the impacts on interpersonal interactions. Through 30 semi-structured online interviews, five typical sticker types and their corresponding personas that are typically constructed were uncovered. Furthermore, we identified four primary motivations that drive Gen Z’s utilization of IM stickers for impression management purposes, including creating personal tags, gaining group identity, acknowledging authority, and fostering a communicative atmosphere. In terms of the impacts on interpersonal interactions, we discovered that Gen Z individuals were highly adept at utilizing IM stickers to construct their personas, which helps them to reduce online interpersonal distance with others and enhance their socializing abilities in various contexts. However, online social anxiety is a potential risk to their interpersonal relationships. Based on the findings, practical and theoretical insights were discussed.

Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationWisdom, Well-Being, Win-Win - 19th International Conference, iConference 2024, Proceedings
EditorsIsaac Sserwanga, Hideo Joho, Jie Ma, Preben Hansen, Dan Wu, Masanori Koizumi, Anne J. Gilliland
PublisherSpringer Science and Business Media Deutschland GmbH
Pages198-207
Number of pages10
ISBN (Print)9783031578595
DOIs
StatePublished - 2024
Event19th International Conference on Wisdom, Well-Being, Win-Win, iConference 2024 - Changchun, China
Duration: 15 Apr 202426 Apr 2024

Publication series

NameLecture Notes in Computer Science (including subseries Lecture Notes in Artificial Intelligence and Lecture Notes in Bioinformatics)
Volume14597 LNCS
ISSN (Print)0302-9743
ISSN (Electronic)1611-3349

Conference

Conference19th International Conference on Wisdom, Well-Being, Win-Win, iConference 2024
Country/TerritoryChina
CityChangchun
Period15/04/2426/04/24

Bibliographical note

Publisher Copyright:
© The Author(s), under exclusive license to Springer Nature Switzerland AG 2024.

Keywords

  • Generation Z
  • Impression Management
  • Instant Messaging
  • Interpersonal Interactions
  • Stickers

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