It is confirmed that digital media use is positively associated with the development of ICC among young adults, and policymakers and educators are advised to consider the role of platform features, the impact of algorithmic choices, the advantages of content format and interaction design within the context of these variables.
Abstract
This meta-analytic study examines the relationship between digital media use and intercultural communication competence (ICC) in young adults. A database search in Scopus and Web of Science initially generated a pool of 1,024 records. After elimination duplicate records from the databases and applying systematic inclusion criteria, 38 independent studies published between 2010 and 2025 were selected for quantitative synthesis. The total sample size of these studies was 14,872 participants. Hedges' g value was calculated as the effect size index within the framework of random effects modeling. The total estimate showed a statistically significant and large effect (
g
= 1.08, 95% CI [0.91, 1.25],
p
< 0.001). This confirms that digital media use is positively associated with the development of ICC among young adults. Inter-study heterogeneity was considerable (I² = 96.4%, Q (37) = 1,038.22,
p
< 0.001), indicating that moderator analyses were warranted. To our knowledge, this is the first meta-analysis to systematically examine the differential effects of specific digital media platform types on ICC, incorporating seven moderator variables across a 15-year period. Seven moderator variables were tested: type of digital media platform, cultural orientation, sample composition, measurement tool, publication year, study design, and country/region. Publication bias was assessed using funnel plot asymmetry and Trim-and-Fill procedure. Neither test provided evidence of systematic bias. The findings indicate that Instagram and TikTok-based studies showed the largest effects, while game-based applications yielded more limited effects. Cultural orientation and sample type influenced the results in theoretically consistent ways. For cross-cultural education practices and digital platform design, policymakers and educators are advised to consider the role of platform features, the impact of algorithmic choices, the advantages of content format, and the network structure and interaction design within the context of these variables.
This study analyzes the relationship between functional digital access and knowledge-economy practices among young Ecuadorian adults, with emphasis on their implications for sustainable digital inclusion and knowledge-based development. The study is based on the premise that access to the Internet, devices, and technological tools does not necessarily ensure critical, productive, collaborative, or knowledge-generating uses of information. A quantitative, non-experimental, cross-sectional, and descriptive-correlational design was applied to a non-probabilistic sample of 441 young Ecuadorian adults aged 18 to 30. Data were collected through an online self-reported questionnaire and analyzed using descriptive statistics, reliability analysis, KMO and Bartlett indicators, confirmatory factor analysis, the Mann–Whitney U test, effect sizes, and Spearman’s rho with 95% confidence intervals. The instrument showed very high internal consistency for knowledge-economy practices (α=0.978; ω=0.978) and functional digital access and technological resources (α=0.963; ω=0.964). The CFA supported the proposed three-factor structure of knowledge-economy practices more strongly than a one-factor model, although the high reliability coefficients also suggest possible item homogeneity. The results showed that functional digital access was perceived more favorably than knowledge-economy practices. A very strong, positive, and statistically significant association was found between functional digital access and knowledge-economy practices (ρ=0.822, 95% CI [0.765, 0.870], p<0.001). Information management and collaboration was the dimension most strongly associated with functional digital access (ρ=0.820, 95% CI [0.764, 0.868], p<0.001). Women reported higher scores than men in knowledge-economy practices, although the effect size was small (r=0.158; rrb=0.184). These findings suggest that functional digital access is a necessary but insufficient condition for sustainable digital inclusion. The study contributes empirical evidence from a developing-country context and highlights the need for educational and public-policy strategies that transform connectivity into critical learning, collaboration, innovation, employability, and knowledge creation.
This study investigates students’ perceived development of sociolinguistic competence following their participation in an extracurricular intercultural online exchange. The study employed an explanatory sequential mixed-methods approach with 198 first-year English majors at the A2 level according to the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR) who were enrolled in Essential Listening and Speaking and Introduction to the English Language courses at a university in Vietnam. The 12-week exchange program was conducted in parallel to formal coursework. The researchers collected quantitative data through a five-point Likert-scale questionnaire measuring pragmatic awareness, communicative appropriateness, politeness strategies, and cultural sensitivity. The researchers conducted descriptive statistics, reliability analysis, a one-sample t-test, and Pearson correlations using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS). Results indicated that the overall post-exchange perception score was significantly higher than the neutral midpoint (p < .001), with cultural sensitivity receiving the highest rating. Correlation analysis revealed moderate positive relationships among the four dimensions. To elaborate on these findings, the researchers conducted semi-structured interviews with 15 participants. Thematic analysis indicated increased awareness of sociocultural norms, perceived improvement in pragmatic adjustment, and enhanced communicative confidence. Overall, the findings suggest that scaffolded extracurricular virtual exchange may support early-stage sociolinguistic development among lower-proficiency English as a Foreign Language (EFL) learners. By focusing on lower-proficiency English majors in the Vietnamese higher education context, this study addresses the limited empirical evidence on how scaffolded intercultural online exchange supports sociolinguistic development and offers pedagogical implications for integrating virtual exchange into EFL speaking instruction.
Huynh Thi Bich Phuong, Tran Thanh Du, Nguyen Huu The· Arab World English Journal· 0 citations
Social media's role in romantic relationships is becoming more significant, impacting ways of communicating with others, and posing new problems, such as digital jealousy and insecurity about commitment. The study revealed that digital jealousy is a psychological phenomenon which is playing a significant part in the relationships between SMI, Digital Jealousy (DJ) and Commitment Uncertainty (CU) among university students in Lahore, Pakistan. A quantitative cross sectional correlational design was used and 190 university students aged 18-25 who were active social media users and actively involved in a romantic relationship were used. The Social Media Index, Digital Jealousy Scale and Commitment Uncertainty Short Scale were completed by participants. The Pearson product–moment correlation, hierarchical multiple regression, independent-samples t-test, one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA), Tukey's HSD post hoc test and chi-square analysis were completed using IBM SPSS Statistics Version 26. The results showed that increased social media activity was significantly related to digital jealousy and self-directed commitment uncertainty. Digital jealousy was a strong predictor of self- and partner-directed commitment uncertainty. Moreover, when digital Jealousy was added to the model, the predictive effect of social media on self-directed commitment uncertainty was no longer significant, indicating that digital Jealousy can account for this relationship. There were no significant gender differences in digital jealousy, but the more often participants reported checking their partner's social media, the higher their digital jealousy scores were. The longer the relationship, the greater the association with partner-monitoring behaviour on social media was. The findings emphasize that digital jealousy is an important psychological mechanism that connects social media usage to uncertainty in relationships among emerging adults. The study helps to build the body of research on digital relationship dynamics and offers implications for relationship education and counselling practices to promote positive digital social media and romantic relationships.
Nimra Munawar, Noor Fatima, Zainab Touqeer et al.· Journal of Global Social Tra...· 0 citations
INTRODUCTION
Despite the growing centrality of digital communication in family life, little is known about its role in parent-adolescent relationships, especially when parents and adolescents share a household. This review was designed to synthesize U.S.-based research on digital communication and relationship quality in these families across theoretical foundations, conceptualizations, measurements, and associations.
METHODS
We conducted systematic searches following the PRISMA guidelines in four online databases: Academic Search Premier, Google Scholar, PsycINFO, and Web of Science. Based on the predefined eligibility criteria, the search yielded 10 studies. The methodological quality of included studies was assessed.
RESULTS
Across studies spanning multiple disciplines, digital communication was most often conceptualized and measured as frequency of use across different modalities (text messaging, voice calls, social media), while parent-adolescent relationship quality was captured along cognitive and emotional dimensions. Findings on the association between digital communication and relationship quality were inconsistent. This inconsistency appeared to stem in part from how the constructs were defined and measured, and from the use of frequency-based approaches that aggregated communication serving different purposes.
CONCLUSION
This review demonstrates that digital communication plays a distinct supplementary role in parent-adolescent relationships, bridging physical and emotional distance rather than replacing face-to-face interaction. Its influence is shaped less by how often communication occurs and more by its purpose, the modalities used, adolescents' device ownership, and the gender composition of the dyad. By synthesizing how parent-adolescent digital communication has been theorized, conceptualized, and measured, this review provides a foundation for future research on digitally mediated family life.
Eunyoung Park, Jodi Dworkin· Journal des adolescens· 0 citations
Background: In this high-tech era, social media has become a major part of daily life everywhere, and people of all ages use it extensively. So, the study aims to examine the effect of social media on institutional performance under the extended Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology model.
Methods: The study adopted a qualitative research design, incorporating 68 key informants for interviews using purposive sampling through a semi-structured questionnaire. Interviews were conducted with administrators, faculty members, employees, and students of Tribhuvan, Kathmandu, Purbanchal, Pokhara, and Rajarshi Janak University.
Results: The research found that social media use behaviour in the higher education institutions was highly affected by performance expectancy, with participants answering enhancements in communication, collaboration, and knowledge management that reinforced performance. Additionally, according to key informants, about 60% of social media content was deemed trustworthy, while 40% was considered deceptive, underscoring the need for information filtering and verification. Social media sites were generally thought to be user-friendly, despite sporadic connectivity and technological problems. Institutional support, peers, references, favourable circumstances, motivation, cost-benefit analysis, and habitual characteristics all had an influence on adoption and use.
Conclusion: The research concludes that social media plays a vital role in enhancing institutional performance, while users actively verify and filter information to maintain credibility and ensure the reliability of shared content.
Novelty: Several Nepalese studies have discussed information credibility concerns, but this study uniquely demonstrates how users actively validate information to maintain institutional integrity and increase performance.
G. Sah, Bhoj Raj Aryal, S. Shrestha· Nepal Journal of Multidiscip...· 0 citations
The increasing participation of students in international mobility programs has created new challenges related to cross-cultural adaptation, particularly in communication processes within unfamiliar cultural environments. The Indonesian International Student Mobility Awards (IISMA) program provides opportunities for students to gain global academic experiences; however, differences in language, cultural values, communication patterns, and social norms may influence their adaptation processes. This study aimed to analyze the role of cross-cultural communication in the adaptation process of 2024 IISMA participants from Mulawarman University based on Young Yun Kim’s Integrative Communication Theory. This research employed a qualitative case study approach. Data were collected through in-depth interviews, observations, and literature reviews, while data analysis followed the Miles and Huberman model, consisting of data reduction, data display, and conclusion drawing/verification. The findings indicated that cross-cultural communication played a significant role in supporting students’ adaptation through six dimensions: host social communication, ethnic social communication, personal communication, environmental factors, predisposing factors, and cross-cultural transformation. Interactions with host communities and exposure to local media enhanced cultural understanding, while communication barriers and cultural differences initially generated stress during the adaptation process. Nevertheless, continuous interaction enabled students to develop communication competence, cultural awareness, and a cross-cultural identity. This study concluded that effective cross-cultural communication facilitated the transition from stress to adaptation and personal growth, enabling international students to successfully integrate into new cultural environments.
Ananda Nazeli Ahsan, Johantan Alfando Wikandana Sucipta, Dony Kristian· Jurnal Indonesia Sosial Sain...· 0 citations