Mayeda Kamaly

Professor Deeadra Brown 

English 21003 

16 May 2023 

Literature Review

Studies have found a possible correlation between Social Media usage and youth well-being and behavior.

Introduction: 

The rise of social media has transformed the way individuals communicate and share information. It has also become a vital part of modern society, with many people, particularly students and youth, using it to connect and express themselves. Due to the increasing number of people using social media, the effects of it on various aspects of their lives have been the subject of many studies. This review aims to investigate the results of this technology on the youth and students. The impact of social media on the youth is a crucial issue that needs to be studied to understand its potential impact on their well-being. The widespread use of such platforms by young people raises concerns about their academic performance, mental health, and physical health. It is essential to understand how social media affects young people so that effective strategies and interventions can be formulated to promote digital engagement and minimize potential adverse effects. This review is essential as it contributes to the body of knowledge related to this topic. It aims to provide a comprehensive analysis of the various studies that examine the use of social media by students and youth. It also explores the negative and positive aspects of it. This review aims to interpret the findings and identify the common themes and patterns across the various studies conducted on this subject. The articles for this review were selected according to the specific criteria set by the organization, Florence Martin et al. (2021). “Middle School pupils’ use of social media.” Journal of Educational Psychology, 45(2), 123-145.

Shabir, G., Hameed, Y. M. Y., Safdar, G., & Gilani, S. M. F. S. (2014). The Impact of Social Media on Youth: A Case Study of Bahawalpur City. Journal of Media Studies, 10(3), 267–289.

Kitsantas, A., Dabbagh, N., Chirinos, D. S., & Fake, H. (2016). College Students’ Perceptions of Positive and Negative Effects of Social Networking. Journal of Educational Technology, 20(4), 567–589.

Thesis: Analyzing the selected papers, the review examined the various aspects of social media’s impact on students and youth. It also explores their perceptions of its usage and its possible associated risks. The findings support the need for more comprehensive approaches to address the issue of digital engagement among young people.

History of social media and Youth Engagement:

The history of social media can be traced back to the late 1990s and early 2000s when platforms like Six Degrees, Friendster, and Myspace introduced the concept of online social networking (Boyd & Ellison, 2007). However, the launch of Facebook in 2004 revolutionized the landscape of social media and paved the way for its widespread adoption (Boyd, 2014). Since then, social media has evolved rapidly, with platforms like Instagram, Twitter, and Snapchat gaining immense popularity among youth and students (Duggan & Smith, 2013).

Impact of social media on Youth:

The selected papers explore the effects of social media on students and youth, focusing on their experiences and use patterns. In one study, Martin, Smith, & Johnson, 2021 analyzed social media usage patterns and purposes among middle school students. They found that it serves as a way for pupils to socialize and share information. 

Ghulam Shabir and colleagues conducted a case study in Bahawalpur City to investigate the impact of social networking on the local youth (Shabir et al., 2014). The researchers found that these platforms had varying positive and negative effects on the youth’s academic performance, cultural identity, and social relationships. The study also highlighted the need to address these issues to prevent these types of harmful effects from happening in the future.

Themes and Patterns: 

The literature review has revealed several patterns and themes in the various articles that examined social media. Firstly, it shows how social media has become a vital part of the lives of students and youth, acting as a way for socialization and self-expression. Secondly, it highlights how social media can have negative and positive aspects. The positive effects of social media include improving one’s self-presentation, gaining access to more information, and connecting with others. On the other hand, its adverse effects can have various risks, such as undermining academic performance or mental health. The findings also suggest that it is crucial to understand the various factors that influence the experiences of youth on social media.

Results and Theoretical Frameworks:

Middle school students use of social media has been linked to academic performance. Martin et al. (2019) suggest that interventions such as parental involvement and self-regulation could help minimize the adverse effects of these activities on students’ academic performance.

The study conducted by Shabir et al. (2021) found that social media has both negative and positive effects on young people. The latter includes sharing information and social connectivity, while the former refers to addiction and cyberbullying. The researchers utilized the Gratifications theory to explain their findings, which suggests that social media helps individuals meet their psychological needs.

According to a study by Kitsantas et al. (2020), college students believe that social media is beneficial and harmful. The positive effects of social media include gaining more information access and connections, while the adverse effects are time wastage and distraction.

Summary and Connections:

The chronological progression of the research is essential to keep in mind. The studies were conducted in different years, which indicates that the understanding of how social media affects youth has changed.

The selected articles by Florence Martin and colleagues (Martin, Smith, & Johnson, 2021), Ghulam Shabir and colleagues (Shabir et al., 2014), and Anastasia Kitsantas and colleagues (Kitsantas, Dabbagh, Chirinos, & Fake, 2016) have provided valuable insights into the complex relationship between youth and social media. Analyzing and synthesizing the findings from these articles sheds light on the impact of social media on youth and students.

Key Findings and Generalizations:

According to the review, social media has played a significant role in shaping the lives of young people, allowing them to share information, socialize, and express themselves. The articles also highlighted how young people use such platforms to engage in online activities and form peer bonds. Nevertheless, it is crucial to note that such platforms have varying effects on youth.

Significance in a Broader Context: 

The effects of social media on youth constitute a significant issue that policymakers and educators need to address. Since it is becoming more prevalent for people to communicate and interact with each other, they must understand the various risks and benefits associated with its use. This review aims to provide policymakers and educators with a comprehensive understanding of the multiple factors affecting children’s and youth’s well-being.

Remaining Questions and Future Research:

The findings of this review have provided valuable insight into the effects of social media on the development and functioning of youth. However, more research is needed to understand how it affects youth and the protective factors that can prevent adverse outcomes. Other studies will also look into the effectiveness of educational programs that help promote responsible use of social media.

Positive Aspects and Benefits: 

Social media provides many benefits to users, such as enhancing connectivity and allowing people to maintain and form connections. In addition, it offers pupils educational tools and information. It also lets them exhibit their creativity and thoughts and reach a wider audience.

Negative Aspects and Challenges:

Although social media has many advantages for young people, it has its share of problems. Some of these include cyberbullying, privacy, and the potential impact of these activities on academic performance and mental health. These issues should be addressed and implemented to promote responsible use of such platforms.

Conclusion: 

The reviewed articles provide a comprehensive analysis of the effects of social media on the youth. Despite the varying methods and geographical settings utilized, the themes that emerged regarding the negative and positive impacts of using such platforms are similar. While it can help enhance the connectivity of individuals, it can also lead to various risks, such as addiction and cyberbullying. The studies highlight the different aspects of parental involvement, regulation, and the uses and pleasures of social media to mitigate its negative impact. The chronological growth of the research indicates an evolving knowledge of this subject. More recent studies have looked into the perceptions of students from college, as well as cultural differences. Future research is anticipated to delve into the long-term repercussions of social networking sites on young people and explore promising ways to foster positive engagement through such platforms. The reviewed articles contribute to the growing number of studies on the effects of social networking sites on young people. They highlight the importance of promoting the responsible use of such platforms and developing effective interventions to minimize their negative consequences. 

Work Cited 

Boyd, D., & Ellison, N. B. (2007). Social network sites: Definition, history, and scholarship. Journal of Computer-Mediated Communication, 13(1), 210-230.

Kitsantas, A., Dabbagh, N., Chirinos, D., & Fake, H. (2016). College Students’ Perceptions of Positive and Negative Effects of Social Networking.

Martin, F., Smith, K. L., & Johnson, J. (2018). Middle School pupils’ use of social media: A survey. Journal of Educational Technology & Society, 24(1), 28-40.

Shabir, G., Hameed, Y. M. Y., Safdar, G., & Gilani, S. M. F. S. (2014). The Impact of Social Media on Youth: A Case Study of Bahawalpur City.