Hashtag investing: Behavioral insights into social media’s role in retail investment decisions

Authors

  • Gangu Naidu Mandala Central Tribal University of Andhra Pradesh
  • Appasaba L.V Department of Business Management, Central Tribal University of Andhra Pradesh, Vizianagaram
  • Kusum Department of Tourism and Hospitality Management Central Tribal University of Andhra Pradesh
  • Jitendra Mohan Mishra Department of Tourism and Hospitality Management, Central Tribal University of Andhra Pradesh, Vizianagaram

Keywords:

behavioral finance, social media influence, retail investors, demographic variations

Abstract

As digital technology develops, social media is increasingly guiding the way younger and more varied investors decide on retail investments. The study named Hashtag Investing looks at how websites and services, including Twitter, Reddit and Telegram, affect people’s decisions about investing by way of social proof, influencer advice and information overload. Data from 230 people and ANOVA statistical techniques were applied in the study to explore how gender and age change people’s investment habits. According to the data, people from different groups differ greatly in their confidence, motivation, trust and use of digital advice, calling for specific financial literacy and safe digital engagement programs. Because of these insights, behavioral finance includes many psychological, demographic and technological aspects in its overall picture of modern retail investing.

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Published

2025-05-30

How to Cite

Mandala, G. N., Appasaba, L., Kusum, K., & Mishra, J. M. (2025). Hashtag investing: Behavioral insights into social media’s role in retail investment decisions. International Journal of Economic Perspectives, 19(5), 2549–2563. Retrieved from http://ijeponline.org/index.php/journal/article/view/1075

Issue

Vol. 19 No. 5 (2025)

Section

Peer Review Articles
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Copyright (c) 2025 Gangu Naidu Mandala, Dr. Appasaba L.V, Dr. Kusum, Prof. Jitendra Mohan Mishra

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