How do people typically respond to social exclusion on social media? Clustering and personas from UK and Arab samples.

Abstract

Social media can foster community but also enable harmful interactions that violate Gender Equality and Social Inclusion (GESI) values. This study explores how individuals respond to such violations by examining four strategies: resistance (challenging the offender), internalization (self-blame), education/advocacy (raising awareness), and detachment (withdrawing). We investigated how these strategies relate to users’ sense of inclusion/exclusion, self-esteem, and self-efficacy. Using clustering techniques, we analyzed survey data from 322 UK and 312 Arab Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) participants, all active social media users aligned with GESI principles. Two main clusters emerged in both regions. In the UK sample, detached observers showed low self-esteem, low self-efficacy, and high exclusion, while engaged advocates showed the opposite. In the Arab sample, silent bystanders exhibited emotional withdrawal, low self-esteem, and low self-efficacy, whereas empowered educators actively promoted inclusivity. The study highlights how these clusters and personas can support efforts to promote GESI on social media.