## 5 Discussion
### The Impact of SNSAs Use on Life Satisfaction  
The results of the survey revealed that participants reported moderate levels (\(M\) = 3.50, \(SD\) = 0.68) of life satisfaction associated with their use of SNSAs, while interview data indicated an overall perception of a positive impact from the use of SNSAs. This influence was presented in terms of three main themes: acquiring knowledge, increasing levels of awareness, and opportunities for diversification of interests.  
In the first theme, the ability to obtain information about hobbies, interests and self-development skills, and offering a private environment for inquiries on SNSAs was perceived as having a positive impact on life satisfaction. These perceptions were supported by other studies. [PERSON] [2] found pursuing talents and hobbies on SNSAs had the most positive emotional impact on students' lives. [PERSON] [4] also found SNSAs helped female students express their feelings and intellectual opinions, leading to a feeling of freedom and contentment, especially when delivering messages to large groups of users. [PERSON] et al. [68], in a British study, found that the personalities of participants were related to seeking and exchanging information on Facebook and Twitter, which offered an arena for private social interaction via messaging (direct and public).  
The second theme highlighted increased awareness of current developments (e.g., correcting misconceptions, avoiding hazards, dealing with others, accepting different opinions, and realizing different intellectual trends) and receiving news in different forms on SNSAs. This role of SNSAs was also reported by [PERSON] and [PERSON] [69] for public users, by [PERSON] [4] and [PERSON] [2] who found SNSAs assisted students to obtain and exchange positive experiences in relation to their practical and cultural lives from other users in different nations, leading to increased awareness and positive reflection on contentment with life. [PERSON] et al. [70] in the USA, stated that SNSAs supported newcomers sharing content and receiving feedback. In the current study, increased awareness was also perceived as supporting intellectual aspects and thereby life satisfaction.  
The third theme related to opportunities through SNSAs for diversification of interests and access to new ideas and shared interests. Similarly, a Saudi study by [PERSON] [71], found students used SNSAs to satisfy curiosity and understand diversity. In the USA, [PERSON] and [PERSON] [72] found SNSAs helped people connect through shared interests. The current study also highlighted the role of SNSAs as a means of enjoyment for students but also as a way of promoting life satisfaction.  
A number of limitations were also identified by participants in the current study. The first related to accessibility of a vast range of general information and topics via SNSAs, which could result in large amounts of time spent searching for more detailed information and the possibility of receiving incorrect information. Similarly, [PERSON] [2] found that students complained that SNSAs contained more general than specialized information. The second limitation related to the potential for misunderstandings due to the absence of direct face-to-face meetings and the growth of highly contentious issues being debated on SNSAs. This point was attributed by [PERSON] [73] to the generational diversity in Saudi Arabia and primarily to the diversity of cultures in these generations based on their inherited traditions and norms. Overuse of SNSAs can also limit opportunities for development of face to face social skills [74; 75].