Social media use is associated with increased anxiety, depression, and other mental health issues among youth.
Prompt:
What have you observed regarding youth mental health and social media?
Works Cited: Keles, B., McCrae, N., & Grealish, A. (2019). A systematic review: the influence of social media on depression, anxiety and psychological distress in adolescents. International Journal of Adolescence and Youth, 25(1), 79–93.
“Adolescence is the period of personal and social identity formation (Erikson, 1950), and much of this development is now reliant on social media. Due to their limited capacity for self-regulation and their vulnerability to peer pressure, adolescents may not evade the potentially adverse effects of social media use, and consequently, they are at greater risk of developing mental disorders. However, evidence on the influence of social media on adolescents’ psychosocial development remains at an early stage of development” (Keles, McCrae, & Grealish, 2020)
Having someone to talk to online when feeling lonely is strongly related to well-being. Social media can provide an important outlet for communication and support, helping users feel appreciated and part of a group
“Our review of social media’s impact on youths’ psychosocial development suggests that these technologies vastly expand social engagement’s breadth and depth. On the one hand, socially introverted and reserved youths seemingly have a great opportunity, via social media technology, to establish social relationships in less demanding and perhaps less threatening social contexts. Extraverts and those with high social support levels may also benefit by bridging social capital; that is, by expanding their range of weaker social ties and cultivating and cementing stronger ties. On the other hand, research suggests that social media’s potential advantages depend upon a wide range of user characteristics and variables related to purposes and extent of social media use, accessibility options, and other factors.” (Smith, Leonis, & Anandavalli, 2021)
Prompt: Leave a voice memo of encouragement to a stranger
Works Cited:
Smith, D., Leonis, T., & Anandavalli, S. (2021). Belonging and loneliness in cyberspace: impacts of social media on adolescents’ well-being. Australian Journal of Psychology, 73(1), 12-23
Routine social media use is positively associated with social well-being, positive mental health, and self-rated health. This suggests that using social media as part of an everyday routine, rather than excessively,
can be beneficial.
“The studies suggest that it is how online social networks are used that contributes to subjective well-being. Receiving social support was a positive factor, and feedback was either positive or negative depending on if and what type of feedback was received.
The factors of using social networking sites identified in the studies which contribute
to a negative association with subjective well-being are high investment, passive use,
and ostracism.” (Webster, Dunne, & Hunter, 2021)
“...the studies showed that online social networks can contribute to positive subjective well-being and that social media ostracism had a negative association with subjective well-being. Online social networks themselves are not “bad” for subjective well-being, in fact they can be very beneficial; however, like so many things in life that are useful, there are drawbacks.” (Webster, Dunne, & Hunter, 2021)
Prompt:
What’s something you’ve learned on social media that you think helps you stay physically, emotionally, or spiritually healthier?
Works Cited:
Webster, D., Dunne, L., & Hunter, R. (2021). Association between social networks and subjective well-being in adolescents: A systematic review. Youth & society, 53(2), 175-210
Incidences of cyberbullying are prevalent on social media platforms, contributing to emotional distress.
Prompt:
Do you feel social media is a safe place for youth and young people?
“…our findings suggest that SMU exposes young people to risks for involvement in cyber-bullying and to more aggressive online behaviors, particularly for boys. Time spent online, especially if SMU is frequent and/or problematic, replaces opportunities to engage in constructive and protective in-person social activities that promote socioemotional and moral development” (Craig et al., 2020)
Works Cited: Craig, W., Boniel-Nissim, M., King, N., Walsh, S. D., Boer, M., Donnelly, P. D., ... & Pickett, W. (2020). Social media use and cyber-bullying: A cross-national analysis of young people in 42 countries. Journal of Adolescent Health, 66(6), S100-S108