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Face to Facebook: The relationship between social media and social travel

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  • Delbosc, Alexa
  • Mokhtarian, Patricia

Abstract

In an era of rapidly-expanding social media and smartphone use, there is much interest in understanding the impact that information and communication technology (ICT) can have on travel behaviour. In particular, some have conjectured that the prevalence of social media use among the millennial generation may be partially responsible for a shift away from car driving and toward more sustainable travel modes. This paper uses a purpose-designed survey to examine the relationship between physical and virtual social interaction. It quantified the frequency of interaction with members of one's social network through telephone, email, texting and social media and explored the association with face-to-face social interaction. Multiple regression and structural equation modelling revealed that in general, more frequent ‘virtual’ interaction was associated with more frequent face-to-face interaction, not less, even after controlling for income, age, gender, extroversion, and other covariates. The relationships differed in strength across different age groups; notably, social media interaction was only associated with face-to-face interaction amongst 18–29 year olds. This provides no evidence to support the hypothesis that social media use is reducing travel demand amongst the younger generation.

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  • Delbosc, Alexa & Mokhtarian, Patricia, 2018. "Face to Facebook: The relationship between social media and social travel," Transport Policy, Elsevier, vol. 68(C), pages 20-27.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:trapol:v:68:y:2018:i:c:p:20-27
    DOI: 10.1016/j.tranpol.2018.04.005
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

    1. Khan, Nazmul Arefin & Habib, Muhammad Ahsanul & Jamal, Shaila, 2020. "Effects of smartphone application usage on mobility choices," Transportation Research Part A: Policy and Practice, Elsevier, vol. 132(C), pages 932-947.
    2. Arranz-López, Aldo & Soria-Lara, Julio A., 2022. "ICT use and spatial fragmentation of activity participation in post-COVID-19 urban societies," Land Use Policy, Elsevier, vol. 120(C).
    3. Arif Budiarto & Nur Shalin Abdi & Dimas Bayu Endrayana Dharmowijoyo & Nursitihazlin Ahmad Termida & Basil David Daniel & Nur Sabahiah Abdul Sukor & Liza Evianti Tanjung, 2022. "Effects of Changes in Discretionary Trips and Online Activities on Social and Mental Health during Two Different Phases of the COVID-19 Pandemic in Malaysia," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(21), pages 1-24, October.
    4. BouMjahed, Lama & Mahmassani, Hani S., 2023. "Virtual leisure activity engagement: The role of childhood technology experience," Transportation Research Part A: Policy and Practice, Elsevier, vol. 171(C).
    5. Alexa Delbosc & Maarten Kroesen & Bert Wee & Mathijs Haas, 2020. "Linear, non-linear, bi-directional? Testing the nature of the relationship between mobility and satisfaction with life," Transportation, Springer, vol. 47(4), pages 2049-2066, August.
    6. Debbie Hopkins & Enrique García Bengoechea & Sandra Mandic, 2021. "Adolescents and their aspirations for private car-based transport," Transportation, Springer, vol. 48(1), pages 67-93, February.
    7. Caballini, Claudia & Agostino, Matteo & Dalla Chiara, Bruno, 2021. "Physical mobility and virtual communication in Italy: Trends, analytical relationships and policies for the post COVID-19," Transport Policy, Elsevier, vol. 110(C), pages 314-334.
    8. Harsh Shah & Andre L. Carrel & Huyen T. K. Le, 2024. "Impacts of teleworking and online shopping on travel: a tour-based analysis," Transportation, Springer, vol. 51(1), pages 99-127, February.

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