The Effects of Social Media
on a Teenagers’ Life
Submitted by:
Policarpio, Angela L.
June 2023
Background Information
The prevalence of social media has become an essential
part of teenagers' lives, shaping their communication, self-
expression, and interactions with the world. Platforms such
as Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat, and Twitter are easily
accessible, immersing teenagers in a digital environment
that presents various opportunities and challenges. This
study seeks to explore how social media impacts teenagers'
mental health, self-esteem, social relationships, and
overall well-being.
In recent years, social media has revolutionized how
teenagers engage with one another by providing a platform
for self-expression where they can share their thoughts,
experiences, and creativity with a broad audience. However,
the increasing influence of social media has raised concerns
regarding its potential negative consequences. It is crucial
to understand and evaluate these effects to support and
guide teenagers in maintaining a healthy and balanced online
presence.
One significant area of concern is the influence of
social media on teenagers' mental health. Research has shown
a correlation between excessive social media use and
elevated rates of anxiety, depression, and loneliness among
teenagers. Constant exposure to carefully curated depictions
of others' lives on social media can contribute to feelings
of inadequacy and low self-esteem. Moreover, the pressure to
seek social validation through likes, comments, and
followers can distort their self-worth, as teenagers often
measure their value based on online popularity.
Social media also plays a significant role in shaping
teenagers' social relationships. While it offers
opportunities to connect with friends, family, and peers, it
can also foster a sense of isolation and disconnection. The
prominence of online interactions can overshadow face-to-
face communication, leading to diminished social skills and
a lack of real-life social support. Additionally, cyberbully
and online harassment have become prevalent issues, with
social media platforms becoming breeding grounds for harmful
behaviors that have long-lasting effects on teenagers'
emotional well-being.
Moreover, excessive social media use can adversely
impact teenagers' overall well-being. The addictive nature
of these platforms, combined with constant exposure to
filtered and unrealistic portrayals of life, can result in
reduced productivity, disrupted sleep patterns, and poor
academic performance. The addictive nature of social media
can also contribute to a sedentary lifestyle, with teenagers
spending less time engaging in physical activities and more
time engrossed in their screens.
To fully grasp the effects of social media on
teenagers' lives, it is essential to examine the underlying
mechanisms and factors that influence their engagement with
these platforms. This research aims to investigate the role
of peer influence, online identity construction, and social
comparison in shaping teenagers' social media behavior. By
understanding these factors, appropriate interventions and
strategies can be developed to promote healthy social media
habits and mitigate the potential negative effects on
teenagers' lives.
Review of Related Literature
Emerging studies find that youth spend a considerable
portion of their daily life interacting through social
media.(June Ahn,2011)
Teenager’s are growing up surrounded by mobile devices
and interactive social network sites such as Twitter,
Myspace, and Facebook, which has made social media a vital
aspect of their life. (akram,2007)
Social networks are transforming the behavior in which
youthful people relate with their parents, peers, as well
as how they make use of technology.(kumar,2007)
With the advent of smartphones and fourth generation
mobile technologies, the effect of social media on society
has stirred up some debate and researchers across various
disciplines have drawn different conclusions. (Samad,2023)
Social media may have an addicting effect that may lead
to poor health, poor concentration in class, poor time
management and consequently poor academic performance.
(Ayaba,2023)
Objective of the Study
The sample research objectives aim to investigate
various aspects of the effects of social media on teenagers'
lives. These objectives include examining the correlation
between excessive social media use and mental health issues,
exploring the impact of social media on teenagers' self-
esteem, investigating its role in shaping social
relationships, analyzing the prevalence and consequences of
cyberbully, assessing the relationship between social media
use and overall well-being, understanding the underlying
mechanisms of teenagers' engagement with social media,
identifying effective interventions and strategies,
providing recommendations for stakeholders, contributing to
existing knowledge, and raising awareness about responsible
social media use. These objectives collectively seek to
enhance our understanding of the topic and guide the
development of interventions and support systems for
teenagers in the digital age.
Significance of the Study
Understanding the effects of social media on teenagers
is significant due to its impact on mental health, self-
esteem, and social relationships. It can provide insights
into the correlation between excessive social media use and
mental health issues such as anxiety, depression, and
loneliness, leading to the development of appropriate
interventions and support systems. Additionally,
investigating the influence of social media on teenagers'
self-esteem can inform strategies to promote healthy self-
perception and reduce negative effects on self-worth.
Exploring the role of social media in shaping social
relationships is essential for understanding its impact on
face-to-face communication, social skills, and real-life
social support, thus guiding the development of
interventions to foster positive connections and minimize
isolation.
In addition, addressing cyberbully and online
harassment on social media platforms is crucial to
mitigating their detrimental consequences on teenagers'
emotional well-being. Research can help identify the
prevalence and consequences of these harmful behaviors,
leading to the implementation of preventive measures and
support systems. By assessing the relationship between
excessive social media use and overall well-being, including
productivity, sleep patterns, academic performance, and
engagement in physical activities, valuable insights can be
gained to encourage balanced lifestyles and healthier social
media habits among teenagers. Understanding the underlying
mechanisms and factors driving teenagers' engagement with
social media, such as peer influence and social comparison,
can inform the design of interventions promoting responsible
and mindful usage. Additionally, providing recommendations
for parents, educators, and policymakers can guide the
development of guidelines, educational programs, and
policies that promote a safe and healthy online environment
for teenagers. Overall, studying the effects of social media
on teenagers' lives contributes to existing knowledge and
has the potential to positively impact their well-being.
Interview Questionnaire
Please rate the following statements on a scale of 1 to 5,
with 1 being strongly disagree and 5 being strongly agree:
Questions 5 4 3 2 1
Social media usage negatively affects my mental
health (e.g., anxiety, depression, loneliness).
Social media platforms contribute to a distorted
sense of self-esteem and self-worth.
My social media usage has led to a decrease in
face-to-face interactions and real-life social
relationships.
I have experienced cyberbullying or online
harassment on social media platforms.
Excessive social media use has had a negative
impact on my overall well-being (e.g.,
productivity, sleep patterns, academic
performance).
Peer influence on social media significantly
affects my online behavior.
I engage in social comparison with others on
social media platforms.
I believe that social media has both positive
and negative effects on teenagers' lives.
I am aware of strategies to promote responsible
and healthy social media use among teenagers.
I believe that parents, educators, and
policymakers should play a role in guiding
teenagers' social media usage.
Research Method
Quantitative analysis can examine correlations, trends,
and associations between social media use and various
outcomes, such as mental health indicators and self-
esteem.By utilizing a combination of quantitative methods,
ensuring ethical considerations, employing appropriate data
analysis techniques, and incorporating longitudinal and
ethnographic approaches, researchers can comprehensively
examine the effects of social media on teenagers' lives.
This approach enables a deeper understanding of the complex
interactions between social media and various aspects of
teenagers' well-being.
Flowchart
1. Define the Research Objectives: Clearly define the
research objectives, such as examining the relationship
between social media use and mental health outcomes, self-
esteem, and overall well-being among teenagers.
2. Identify Variables: Identify the key variables of
interest, such as social media usage patterns (e.g., daily
hours spent on social media platforms), mental health
indicators (e.g., anxiety, depression), self-esteem, and
overall well-being.
3. Sampling: Select a representative sample of teenagers,
considering factors like age, gender, socioeconomic
background, and social media usage patterns. Ensure the
sample size is appropriate for statistical analysis.
4. Data Collection: Administer surveys to collect
quantitative data on social media usage, mental health
indicators, self-esteem, and overall well-being. Use
standardized measurement scales or develop valid and
reliable instruments for data collection.
5. Data Analysis: Conduct appropriate statistical analyses
to examine the relationship between social media use and
various outcomes. For example, use correlation analysis to
assess the associations between social media usage patterns
and mental health indicators or self-esteem. Consider using
regression analysis to control for confounding variables.
6. Interpretation of Findings: Interpret the statistical
results to draw meaningful conclusions about the effects of
social media on teenagers' lives. Identify significant
relationships or associations and their magnitude and
direction.
Research Locale
The study will be conducted at Sto. Rosario National
High School, Sitio Deepwell, Brgy. Sto. Rosario Municipality
of Sta. Rosa, Province of Nueva Ecija.
Participants of the Study
The participants of the study will be those students of
Sto. Rosario National High School that is 13 years old to 19
years old.
Data Gathering Procedure
Quantitative data gathering procedures for studying the
effects of social media on teenagers' lives typically
involve structured surveys or questionnaires to collect
information on various variables of interest.
A. Construction of the Instrument
Constructing a quantitative instrument to study the
effects of social media on teenagers' lives requires careful
consideration of relevant variables and the use of validated
scales. The researcher will use questionnaire that has a
quantitative questions to conduct the survey.
B. Validation of Instrument
The research instruments will undergo a validation
process conducted by an expert in research, specifically
Ma'am Tita Zabate Castillo from SRNHS, who possesses
expertise in the field. Ma'am Tita Zabate Castillo will
assess the content, clarity, and relevance of the
questionnaire items to ensure their validity.
C. Administration of the Instrument
The researcher will give permission letter to the
assigned teachers. After the approval, the researcher then
disseminate the questionnaires to the valid survey
participants.
General Questions
How does social media usage impact the overall well-being of
teenagers?
Follow-up Questions
1. How frequently do you use social media platforms?
2. Which specific social media platforms do you use most
frequently?
3. How many hours per day do you spend on social media?
4. Do you feel that social media has a significant influence
on your daily life?
5. How often do you compare your life to others' on social
media?
Construction, validation, and reliability of Data Gathering
instrument
Constructing a quantitative instrument to study the
effects of social media on teenagers' lives involves careful
consideration of relevant variables and the inclusion of
validated scales. In this research, a questionnaire with
quantitative questions will be used as the primary
instrument for data collection. The questionnaire will be
designed to gather specific information about the effects of
social media on various aspects of teenagers' lives.
To ensure the validity of the research instruments, a
validation process will be conducted by an expert in
research, Ma'am Tita Zabate Castillo from SRNHS, who
possesses expertise in the field. Ma'am Tita Zabate Castillo
will thoroughly evaluate the content, clarity, and relevance
of the questionnaire items. This validation process is
essential to ensure that the questionnaire effectively
captures the intended information and provides reliable data
for analysis.
Once the research instruments have been validated, the
researcher will seek permission from the assigned teachers
to conduct the survey. A permission letter will be provided
to the teachers, outlining the purpose and importance of the
research. Upon approval, the researcher will distribute the
questionnaires to the identified valid survey participants,
ensuring that they receive the necessary instructions and
guidance to accurately complete the questionnaire.
Statistical Treatment Data
Quantitative data collected on the effects of social
media on teenagers' lives can be analyzed using a variety of
statistical treatments. Descriptive statistics provide a
summary of the data, allowing researchers to understand the
central tendency and variability of variables related to
social media effects. Measures such as mean, median, and
standard deviation offer valuable insights into the
distribution of the data.
Inferential statistics enable researchers to draw
conclusions and make inferences about the broader population
based on the sample data. Techniques like hypothesis
testing, chi-square analysis, and regression analysis can be
applied to examine relationships, test hypotheses, and
identify significant associations between variables. These
methods help determine whether observed effects are
statistically significant and provide insights into the
overall impact of social media on teenagers' lives.
Correlation analysis allows researchers to explore the
strength and direction of relationships between variables.
Factor analysis is useful for uncovering underlying
dimensions or factors that contribute to the effects of
social media on teenagers' lives. Comparative analysis
allows for the comparison of different groups or conditions
to examine the differences or similarities in the effects of
social media. It can be used to compare the effects of
social media on different age groups, genders, or
socioeconomic backgrounds among teenagers. By examining
these differences, researchers can identify variations in
the impact of social media on different subgroups and gain a
more nuanced understanding of the effects.
Conclusion
The prevalence of social media among teenagers has
positive and negative effects on their well-being. Excessive
social media use is linked to increased rates of anxiety,
depression, and loneliness, as teenagers feel pressure to
seek social validation. Additionally, social media impacts
social relationships, leading to diminished face-to-face
communication, reduced social skills, and heightened
isolation. Cyberbullying and online harassment worsen the
negative emotional effects.
Excessive social media use also harms teenagers'
overall well-being, resulting in reduced productivity,
disrupted sleep patterns, poor academic performance, and a
sedentary lifestyle. However, the effects of social media
can vary based on age, gender, and socioeconomic background.
To address these issues, interventions should promote
responsible social media habits. Educating teenagers about
the risks and benefits, establishing guidelines for balanced
usage, and involving parents, educators, and policymakers in
guiding social media engagement are crucial steps toward
creating a safe online environment for teenagers' mental
health, self-esteem, social relationships, and well-being.
