Published Paper Details:

Social networking sites (SNS) have transformed communication and education globally, yet there is limited knowledge about their adoption in India's rural and semi-urban university environments. This paper explores students' adoption of SNS in these areas from a theoretical and conceptual perspective, utilizing existing literature on digital divide theory, technology acceptance models (TAM), and socio-cultural views on technology usage. The research thoroughly examines the various socioeconomic, cultural, and infrastructure factors influencing students' use of SNS in educational environments beyond urban areas. The research aims to demonstrate the possibilities and constraints of social networking sites as means for academic involvement, identity creation, and social capital growth by applying existing models to the rural and semi-urban settings of India. To establish a basis for future empirical studies and policy actions, the paper concludes by proposing a conceptual framework for understanding SNS adoption in marginalized university environments.