Beyond the Game: Issues with Social Media and Sporting Events
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Abstract
Society today is being transformed through the use of Social Media. While the resulting changes are typically marketed as having positive benefits on society, there is a negative side to Social Networking platform usage. This paper considers the case of Social Networking use for a perceived sports betting incident at Super Bowl XLVIII with boxer Floyd Mayweather, to demonstrate the modified experience during the sporting event for some users as a result of Social Networking. Analysis of the broadcast of negative sentiments associated with inappropriate use and misinformation demonstrates how Social Networking allows opinions and ideas to be spread on a global scale. This paper further illustrates how rumour can lead to ramifications beyond the Social Networking platform. Analysis is conducted through a theoretical framework that reflects the presence of individual users and identifies their behaviour as active participants in the information exchange process.