Bruneians on TikTok
Full Title : An Exploratory Study of TikTok in Brunei: Connectivity, Identity, Conflict, and Negotiation
Status : Unfunded
Start Date : 2021
Completion Date : 2022
Principal Investigator : Siti Mazidah Hj Mohamad
Research Summary
TikTok, a video-sharing social networking service, has taken the world by storm. Brunei Darussalam, with its existing high social media penetration, has further witnessed an explosion in the number of social media users signing up for TikTok. Despite being lauded as a global viral phenomenon and the growing (and sudden) interest in this social media platform locally, there has been a lack of research conducted on Bruneians' TikTok use. Hence, this research aims to understand the reasons behind this growing interest and capture the nuances and the complexities in the use and experience of TikTokers in the country.
It seeks to unpack the different social processes and practices happening via the app's everyday use. It investigates social connectivity, identity formation and performativity at both the individual and societal levels, and everyday conflicts and negotiation processes manifested via different social practices, including the creative sharing of music videos, social connectivity, self-performativity, micro-influencing, and advocating social justice and grassroots activism. The findings of this research will provide researchers and relevant stakeholders with the current state of local TikTok use and engagement and the social practices that are locally contextualised, which are hoped to springboard further research on TikTok in Brunei Darussalam.
Research Methods
Semi-Structured Interviews, Questionnaire Surveys, Qualitative Content analysis, and Offline Observations where necessary.