Perceiving Affordances Differently: The Unintended Consequences When Young Autistic Adults Engage with Social Media

Literature Title

"Perceiving Affordances Differently: The Unintended Consequences When Young Autistic Adults Engage with Social Media"

Literature Information

• Subject Area: Interactivity in Social Media and Neurodiverse User Experience
• Keywords: social media, affordances, young autistic adults, social risks, inclusive design, digital interaction, online relationships, usage consequences, autism support, online safety

Research Background and Problem

• Identified Issues or Challenges: Social media offers opportunities for users to share information and build connections, but for young autistic users, the design of interactive functions (e.g., sharing, connecting, and interacting) may lead to misinterpretations and unintended consequences, such as social isolation, oversharing, and exposure to psychological and physical safety risks.
• Significance: Young autistic individuals often face higher levels of social isolation and online risks; effective use of social media could provide significant benefits in areas such as social support, employment, and mental health. However, current designs fail to adequately address their unique needs.
• Research Motivation and Related Work:
  • Existing research on social media usage largely focuses on neurotypical users, neglecting the needs of neurodiverse groups.
  • Autistic individuals face specific challenges in sharing and interpreting online content, understanding online relationships, and managing safety risks.
  • This study aims to explore how to design more inclusive and safer social media features to help young autistic users fully leverage online resources.

Solution

• Proposed Solution:
  • By focusing on the core functions of social media (sharing user-generated content, consuming content, connecting with others, and online interaction), the study analyzes the affordance perceptions of autistic users.
  • Suggestions for improvement include clearer functional language, real-time social guidance, and enhanced safety designs.
• Innovative Aspects:
  • A comprehensive analysis of how young autistic individuals interpret social media affordances literally and the unintended consequences that arise.
  • Integration of theoretical models (e.g., affordance theory) with social media design to propose specific adaptation strategies for special user groups.
  • Comparison of affordance perception differences between neurodiverse and neurotypical users to provide direction for inclusive design.
• Implementation Steps:
  • Conduct fieldwork at two community organizations providing day services for young autistic adults.
  • Collect user experiences through semi-structured interviews and observations involving 8 young autistic individuals, 4 parents, and 10 staff members.
  • Categorize and code user issues (sharing, consuming, connecting, and interacting) and analyze unintended consequences.

Research Findings

• Specific Findings:
  • Young autistic users are more likely to interpret social media functions literally, such as confusing "friend" with an actual friend or interpreting "online" status as requiring an immediate response.
  • Most risks stem from misunderstandings of implicit social media norms, such as the consequences of publicly sharing personal information or misinterpreting social interactions, leading to relationship damage.
  • In some cases, participating in themed communities and interest groups provided users with positive social interactions, and connecting with strangers offered some support, but the risks were significantly higher compared to neurotypical users.
• Comparative Advantages Over Existing Solutions:
  • Highlights the impact of social media functions on neurodiverse users, emphasizing the need for significant adjustments in formal designs.
  • Provides data-supported specific design optimization suggestions, such as clearer function labels and real-time guidance mechanisms.
• Experimental or Evaluation Results:
  • Social media exists in a delicate balance between support and risk: it can provide social support to users but may also lead to social isolation, financial loss, or even physical harm.
  • Recommended design directions include: removing ambiguous terminology, providing precise descriptions; developing real-time social guidance tools; and enhancing online risk management measures.
• Limitations and Future Directions:
  • Limitations:
    • The study sample is limited to two community organizations in the northeastern United States, which may affect the generalizability of the results.
    • The collected data may be constrained by the communication styles of autistic users.
  • Future Directions:
    • Comparative studies on the differences in social media affordance perceptions between neurodiverse and neurotypical users.
    • Further exploration of user experience feedback to develop more inclusive feature prototypes.
    • Examination of social media usage patterns and needs of autistic users across different cultural contexts.