A Complex Interplay: An Exploratory Netnographic Analysis of Hikikomori Socialization Strategies

The article provides an in-depth analysis of a netnography that was conducted over six months in a Hikikomori community on the messaging app, Telegram. The research amassed an impressive 91,000 messages and 411,000 words to explore the impact of digital technologies on the Hikikomori phenomenon. This phenomenon, first studied in Japan in the late 1990s, has been attracting increasing attention in recent years, with research efforts focusing on various aspects such as their relationship with family, school and the world of work. The article begins by reviewing relevant literature and outlining the netnographic method employed before presenting a thorough qualitative analysis of the collected messages.