Media in Adolescence - American ...
←
→
Page content transcription
If your browser does not render page correctly, please read the page content below
Benefits and Costs of Social
Media in Adolescence
Yalda T. Uhls, PhD,a,b,c Nicole B. Ellison, PhD,d Kaveri Subrahmanyam, PhDa,e
In 2015, American adolescents aged 13 to 18 years reported using social media 1 hour and abstract
11 minutes a day, 7 days a week. Social media are used for a variety of activities, including
sharing information, interacting with peers, and developing a coherent identity. In this
review of the research, we examine how social media are intertwined with adolescent
development and assess both the costs and benefits of adolescent social media use. We
include suggestions for further research and recommendations for clinicians, policy makers,
and educators.
aChildren’s Digital Media Center@Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California; bUniversity of California, Los Angeles, California; cCommon Sense Media, San Francisco, California; dUniversity of
Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan; and eCalifornia State University, Los Angeles, California
Dr Uhls conceptualized the article and drafted the initial manuscript; and all authors reviewed and revised the manuscript, approved the final manuscript as
submitted, and agree to be accountable for all aspects of the work.
The analysis, conclusions, and recommendations contained in each paper are solely a product of the individual workgroup and are not the policy or opinions of, nor
do they represent an endorsement by Children and Screens: Institute of Digital Media and Child Development or the American Academy of Pediatrics.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1542/peds.2016-1758E
Accepted for publication Apr 19, 2017
Address correspondence to Yalda T. Uhls, PhD, 616 Via De La Paz, Pacific Palisades, CA 90272. E-mail: yaldatuhls@gmail.com
PEDIATRICS (ISSN Numbers: Print, 0031-4005; Online, 1098-4275).
Copyright © 2017 by the American Academy of Pediatrics
FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE: The authors have indicated they have no financial relationships relevant to this article to disclose.
FUNDING: This special supplement, “Children, Adolescents, and Screens: What We Know and What We Need to Learn,” was made possible through the financial
support of Children and Screens: Institute of Digital Media and Child Development.
Downloaded from www.aappublications.org/news by guest on December 22, 2020
PEDIATRICS Volume 140, number s2, November 2017:e20161758 Supplement ArticleThe growth in interactive media about the self with others), and A consistent finding is that
platforms and their rapid adoption impression management (acting adolescents use social media to
by young people is one indication to highlight positive aspects of the develop and maintain friendships.1
of the compelling nature of social self and minimize characteristics that Nearly two-thirds of teenagers report
media tools, such as Instagram are perceived as unattractive)6,7 that they make new friends through
and Snapchat. Adolescents, who have been identified in studies of social media, and >90% use social
are already highly attuned to social media and are associated media to connect with existing off-
peer relationships, find the social with adolescents’ behavior, both line friends every day.14 Adolescents
component of many of these positively and negatively. also report that these media help
platforms especially compelling: them understand their friends’
76% of teen-aged respondents in a Research has just begun to examine feelings and feel more connected to
recent Pew Research Center survey the influence of newer social media, them.15 During a developmental stage
reported that they use social media.1 such as Snapchat, Instagram, and when peer support and approval is
Tumblr,7 on youth development. critical, social media support these
In 2007, boyd and Ellison2 coedited Although the field has not yet needs.14
the first academic collection of conclusively identified all the
research focused explicitly on mechanisms at play, and causal Identity exploration, or the search
social networking sites. Since then, research on the impact of social for a coherent sense of self, takes
hundreds of articles written by media is limited, trends are beginning place online as well as offline.16
researchers from around the world to emerge. Below, we present greater Adolescents use social media for
in a multitude of disciplines have detail on some of the benefits and self-presentation through the ways
examined just 1 social network costs of adolescent social media use. they choose to represent themselves
site (albeit the largest): Facebook.3 online by posting pictures and
Researchers have continued to sharing aspects of their lives.8 In
examine other platforms as they Benefits of Social Media addition, youth use social media
emerge. This article provides an for impression management by
overview of the research on the By and large, extant research has attempting to use these media to
developmental implications of found that youth use social media control other people’s perceptions
social media use and will focus on in the service of critical adolescent of who they are and how they act.4,6
adolescents (ages 13 to 18 years). developmental tasks, such as Such self-exploration can help youth
It summarizes the most relevant identity development, aspirational to discover aspects of themselves;
studies and reviews and concludes development, and peer engagement.4,8 one study found that adolescents
with recommendations for future As adolescents seek intimacy with who communicated more online
research and recommendations their peers and strive for autonomy, had greater self-concept clarity,
for clinicians, policy makers, and their online environments frequently which is the ability to understand
educators. reflect their off-line lives.9 In contrast who one is clearly and stably.17
to early online applications, which Social media can thus provide a good
were seen as refuges from real life,10 forum to practice skills related to
Current State today’s online environments reflect, identity development, such as self-
complement, and reinforce off- presentation and self-disclosure.
Social media tools are readily line relationships, practices, and
accessible on the Internet, and in In addition, social media tools have
processes.9,11
the last several years, they have been found to be beneficial for youth
become even easier to access via The literature on social media who may have learning difficulties
applications (apps) on smartphones.1,4 and adolescents, as well as more or those struggling with their sexual
On average, American youth receive extensive studies of emerging identity. Research confirms that by
their first mobile device around adults, reveals associations between increasing the likelihood that these
the time many begin the transition time spent using social media and adolescents can find like-minded
into adolescence.5 Well-understood increased self-esteem, increased youth, online social media tools may
psychological mechanisms, such as social capital (resources accessed help them feel less lonely and more
social comparison (ie, comparing through one’s social relationships), confident.17,18
oneself to others in either an upward safe identity exploration, social
or downward direction: that is, with support, and more opportunity for
those who are seen as better or self-disclosure.12,13
These processes
Costs of Social Media
worse than oneself, respectively), are all critical to healthy growth and The use of social media during
self-disclosure (sharing information identity development. adolescence can also negatively
Downloaded from www.aappublications.org/news by guest on December 22, 2020
S68 Uhls et alimpact health and development. identified problematic implications Future Research
Although the majority of adolescents for adolescents (especially female We recommend that future
report that social media are a positive adolescents) around issues such as researchers consider the following
contribution to their lives,19 more self-esteem, gender stereotypes, questions:
negative associations with social self-objectification, and impossible
media have also been documented body standards.25 Similarly, a •• What factors mediate and
in the research literature. These longitudinal study found that moderate relations between social
include cyberbullying, depression, frequency of social media use media and outcomes (both positive
social anxiety, and exposure to played a role in the relationship and negative)?
developmentally inappropriate between mass media and an •• How do social media relate to and
content.8 objectified self-concept (eg, judging impact identity development?
Cyberbullying has received a oneself on the basis of how one is •• What risk factors are associated
great deal of attention in both perceived by others).26 Given the with problematic social media
the popular press and academic interactive nature of social media, use, and what interventions are
research.20 The Pew Research these relations may be magnified most successful in addressing
Center report noted that 1 in 4 because peers amplify social media problematic activities?
adolescents report digital “drama,” content, providing additional social
validation. One study found that •• From a developmental perspective,
a word that adolescents seem what is the best age to begin using
to relate to more than the term 54% of 18 year olds’ public social
media profiles contained or more social media, and under what
“cyberbullying.”1 Research found restrictions (if any)?
that online bullying, often displayed references to a high-risk behavior,
through social media, is associated such as sexual activity, substance
with more depressive symptoms abuse, or violence.27 Exposure Recommendations
than traditional bullying.21 One to inappropriate content and the
ability to display and consequently Clinicians and Providers
reason for this may be the public
and enduring nature of online receive endorsement through peer •• Ask children and their parents
posts. A recent study found that validation of risky behaviors (such about media use, including mobile
risky online self-presentation as drinking alcohol) may entice phones and social media, to
increased the likelihood of some adolescents to make poor build awareness of social media
receiving negative online feedback decisions about what to share on practices and their outcomes.
on social media.22 social media.
•• Encourage parents to talk to their
Because teenagers have nearly children about their social media
Finally, it is important to
unlimited access to peers through use, create their own social media
remember that most social
mobile technologies, social media profiles, and help guide their
media platforms are owned by
use may result in changing sleep children.
for-profit companies, which often
cycles for adolescents, which may advertise, collect information, and
contribute to depression. Teenagers Policy Makers
sell data. This direct channel to
who report having mobile devices adolescents, outside the eyes and •• Encourage industry to consider
in their bedrooms and leaving them ears of adults, means commercial developmental concerns when
on at night sleep less than those interests can take precedence over introducing new social media that
who turn them off.23 Lack of sleep prosocial and developmentally is marketed to adolescents.
is related to depressive symptoms, appropriate interests.4 Advertisers •• Fund programs that promote
loss of memory, problems at school, for sexual content, alcohol, and digital literacy in the classroom.
motor vehicle crashes, and other many other unhealthy products
serious issues.24 can also easily reach children and Educators
Research on traditional media such adolescents through these new •• Teach digital literacy from
as television and magazines has media.28 kindergarten through 12th grade.
POTENTIAL CONFLICT OF INTEREST: The authors have indicated they have no potential conflicts of interest to disclose.
Downloaded from www.aappublications.org/news by guest on December 22, 2020
PEDIATRICS Volume 140, number s2, November 2017 S69References
1. Lenhart A, Duggan M, Perrin A, et al. 11. Reich SM, Subrahmanyam K, Espinoza 20. Uhls YT. Cyberbullying has a broader
Teens, social media & technology G. Friending, IM’ing, and hanging out impact than traditional bullying. In:
overview 2015. Available at: www. face-to-face: overlap in adolescents’ Opposing Viewpoints. Farmington Hills,
pewinternet.org/files/2015/04/PI_ online and offline social networks. Dev MI: Greenhaven Press; 2012
TeensandTech_Update2015_0409151. Psychol. 2012;48(2):356–368
21. Bazelon E. Sticks and Stones:
pdf. Accessed March 15, 2016 12. Best P, Manktelow R, Taylor B. Online Defeating the Culture of Bullying and
2. boyd dm, Ellison NB. Social network communication, social media and Rediscovering the Power of Character
sites: definition, history, and adolescent well-being: a systematic and Empathy. New York, NY: Random
scholarship. J Comput Mediat narrative review. Child Youth Serv Rev. House; 2014
Commun. 2007;13(1):210–230 2014;41:27–36
22. Koutamanis M, Vossen HGM,
3. Wilson RE, Gosling SD, Graham LT. A 13. Ellison NB, Steinfield C, Lampe C. Valkenberg PM. Adolescents’
review of Facebook research in the Connection strategies: social capital comments in social media: why do
social sciences. Perspect Psychol Sci. implications of Facebook-enabled adolescents receive negative feedback
2012;7(3):203–220 communication practices. New Media and who is most at risk? Comput
Soc. 2011;13(6):873–892 Human Behav. 2015;53:486–494
4. Uhls YT. Media Moms and Digital Dads:
14. Lenhart A. Chapter 4: Social Media and 23. National Sleep Foundation. 2014 sleep
A Fact Not Fear Approach to Parenting
Friendships. Available at: http://www. in America poll – sleep in the modern
in the Digital Age. New York, NY:
pewinternet.org/2015/08/06/chapter- family. Sleep Health. 2015;1(2):e13
Bibliomotion, Inc; 2015
4-social-media-and-friendships/.
5. Growing Wireless. Kids wireless Accessed 2016 24. Lemola S, Perkinson-Gloor N, Brand
use facts. Available at: www. S, Dewald-Kaufmann JF, Grob A.
15. Borca G, Bina M, Keller PS, Gilbert
growingwireless.com/get-the-facts/ Adolescents’ electronic media
LR, Begotti T. Internet use and
quick-facts. Accessed September 10, use at night, sleep disturbance,
developmental tasks: adolescents’
2016 and depressive symptoms in the
point of view. Comput Human Behav.
smartphone age. J Youth Adolesc.
6. Bartsch M, Subrahmanyam K. 2015;52:49–58
2015;44(2):405–418
Technology and self-presentation. In: 16. Subrahmanyam K, Smahel D,
Rosen LD, Cheever NA, Carrier LM, eds. Greenfield P. Connecting developmental 25. Common Sense Media. Children, Teens,
The Wiley Handbook of Psychology, constructions to the internet: identity Media, and Body Image: A Common
Technology, and Society. Hoboken, NJ: presentation and sexual exploration in Sense Media Research Brief. San
Wiley-Blackwell;2015:339–357 online teen chat rooms. Dev Psychol. Francisco, CA: Common Sense Media;
2006;42(3):395–406 2015
7. Lup K, Trub L, Rosenthal L. Instagram
#instasad?: exploring associations 17. Hillier L, Harrison L. Building 26. Vandenbosch L, Eggermont S. The
among Instagram use, depressive realities less limited than their own: interrelated roles of mass media
symptoms, negative social comparison, young people practicing same-sex and social media in adolescents’
and strangers followed. Cyberpsychol attraction on the Internet. Sexualities. development of an objectified
Behav Soc Netw. 2015;18(5):247–252 2007;10(1):82–100 self-concept: a longitudinal study.
Communic Res. 2016;43(8):1116–1140
8. Subrahmanyam K, Smahel D. 18. Korchmaros JD, Ybarra ML, Mitchell
Digital Youth: The Role of Media in KJ. Adolescent online romantic 27. Moreno MA, Parks MR, Zimmerman
Development. New York, NY: Springer; relationship initiation: differences by FJ, Brito TE, Christakis DA. Display of
2011 sexual and gender identification. health risk behaviors on MySpace
J Adolesc. 2015;40:54–64 by adolescents: prevalence and
9. Schwartz HA, Eichstaedt JC, Kern ML, associations. Arch Pediatr Adolesc
19. Rideout VJ. Social media, social
et al. Personality, gender, and age Med. 2009;163(1):27–34
life: how teens view their digital
in the language of social media: the
lives. Available at: https://www. 28. Winpenny EM, Marteau TM, Nolte E.
open-vocabulary approach. PLoS One.
commonsensemedia.org/research/ Exposure of children and adolescents
2013;8(9):e73791
social-media-social-life-how-teens-view- to alcohol marketing on social
10. Turkle S. Life on the Screen. New York, their-digital-lives. Accessed March 15, media web sites. Alcohol Alcohol.
NY: Simon and Schuster; 1997 2016 2014;49(2):154–159
Downloaded from www.aappublications.org/news by guest on December 22, 2020
S70 Uhls et alBenefits and Costs of Social Media in Adolescence
Yalda T. Uhls, Nicole B. Ellison and Kaveri Subrahmanyam
Pediatrics 2017;140;S67
DOI: 10.1542/peds.2016-1758E
Updated Information & including high resolution figures, can be found at:
Services http://pediatrics.aappublications.org/content/140/Supplement_2/S67
References This article cites 17 articles, 0 of which you can access for free at:
http://pediatrics.aappublications.org/content/140/Supplement_2/S67#
BIBL
Permissions & Licensing Information about reproducing this article in parts (figures, tables) or
in its entirety can be found online at:
http://www.aappublications.org/site/misc/Permissions.xhtml
Reprints Information about ordering reprints can be found online:
http://www.aappublications.org/site/misc/reprints.xhtml
Downloaded from www.aappublications.org/news by guest on December 22, 2020Benefits and Costs of Social Media in Adolescence
Yalda T. Uhls, Nicole B. Ellison and Kaveri Subrahmanyam
Pediatrics 2017;140;S67
DOI: 10.1542/peds.2016-1758E
The online version of this article, along with updated information and services, is
located on the World Wide Web at:
http://pediatrics.aappublications.org/content/140/Supplement_2/S67
Pediatrics is the official journal of the American Academy of Pediatrics. A monthly publication, it
has been published continuously since 1948. Pediatrics is owned, published, and trademarked by
the American Academy of Pediatrics, 345 Park Avenue, Itasca, Illinois, 60143. Copyright © 2017
by the American Academy of Pediatrics. All rights reserved. Print ISSN: 1073-0397.
Downloaded from www.aappublications.org/news by guest on December 22, 2020You can also read
