Summary:
In the years of global digitalization, the extended use of social networks has been established in our daily routine, creating the necessary conditions of direct interaction and flow of information all over the globe, changing radically the ways of communication. Researches have given information about the positive impact of social media in activism as well as providing ways to overcome obstacles, e.g. informing and union dissimilar groups, in order to alert more citizens.
The purpose of this study is to identify the influence of social media to the environmental behavior and action of their users, as well as measuring in what extent it has improved their environmental awareness. The sample of people, who helped to conduct this study, are adults which are studying or have finished their studies on universities. An extra statistical research has been conducted, isolating persons with educational and environmental studies, comparing their responses. Bearing in mind, that educators due to the nature of their profession can influence the behavior of children and future citizens, it would be vital to see the deflection with the group of the most positive attitude, the environmentalists.
The study showed that the majority of participants was highly environmental aware with low environmental action. The percentage of those who choose social media for their information about environmental news was quite big, but the percentage of those who participate in actions was quite low, however, they showed consistency with their physical appearance to events. Everyday behavior tend to be influenced and friendlier to environment with those who participate in many environmental groups, however not the same improvement noted in environmental action. As for the educators, they show lower percentages at the aspect of environmental action, in contrast with the behavior which showed no statistically significant differences. Ending, the group of educators declare that the use of social media improved more their awareness in environmental problems and actions than the environmentalists’, as they had limited information before the use of social networks.
Keywords:
Social media, social networking, environmental awareness, environmental behavior, environmental sensitivity, environmental activism, environmental action, global networks
