Facebook Usage among Somali Youth: A Test of Uses and Gratificaitons Approach
Ismail Sheikh Yusuf Dhaha, Abdikarim Barqadle Igale

Abstract
This study aims to investigate the uses and gratifications obtained by Somali youth from using Facebook based on the uses and gratifications theory. The study employed online survey to collect the data. A total of 311 respondents participated in the study. The results suggest that Somali youth are motivated by virtual companionship escape, interpersonal habitual entertainment, self-description of own country, self-expression, information seeking, and passing time gratifications. When regressed these factors against the time spent on the site, virtual companionship escape (β = .281 t = 3.226, p< .05), interpersonal habitual entertainment (β = .145, t= 1.972, P< .05) and self-description of own country (β =.184, t= 2.762, P< .05) appeared as the predictors of the model. Finally, the study found that Facebook can be used as promotion tool for a country. Thus, the study suggests examining that factor in the context of countries that are experiencing chaotic situation.

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