NEW MEDIA AND SPIRAL OF EMOTIONS: FACEBOOK AUDIENCE PERCEPTION OF THE CHRISLAND SCHOOL VIRAL SEX VIDEO

Abstract

This study looked at the reactions to the Chrisland School sex tape on Facebook and how the media are instrumental in the spread of emotions towards social events. The objectives of the study are to find out the extent of virality of the Chrisland School sex tape on Facebook, determine the dominant originators of stories on the Chrisland School sex tape on Facebook, and find out the perception of the stories on the Chrisland School sex tape on Facebook based on the direction of the reactions and the comments and the number of shares among others. Using the content analyses research method, the researchers examined the Facebook users' ‘likes’ and comments on a total of 1898 posts made on the said viral sex video to ascertain the level of reactions that the tape attracted. The study found that, among other things, Facebook users were very expressive of their perception of the sex tape story, and demonstrated that new media can be a veritable medium for the spread of emotions towards social events. It was recommended that as dominant originators of stories on the Chrisland School sex tape on Facebook, women should endeavor to protect their fellow women if an embarrassing issue such as this comes into public view.