The Impact of Social Media on Adolescent Mental Health
topic: The Impact of Social Media on Adolescent Mental Health
Locate and cite (using the referencing style of your primary discipline) at least four books or journal articles on your topic that will help you answer your research questions. Using the framework for analyzing sources provided in Chapter 5 and/or the Purdue OWL Guide to Annotated Bibliographies
Links to an external site., write a brief annotation -- a solid paragraph for each. Since this is an interdisciplinary project, you should make sure that your initial sources represent multiple disciplinary perspectives, approaches, and/or epistemologies. Be sure to
Summarize: "What are the main arguments? What is the point of this book or article? What topics are covered? If someone asked what this article/book is about, what would you say?"
Evaluate: "Is it a useful source? How does it compare with other sources in your bibliography? Is the information reliable? Is this source biased or objective? What is the goal of this source?" The video and JHU guide
Links to an external site. will help you understand how to evaluate a source for authorship, currency, accuracy, publishing body, point of view or bias, and knowledge of the literature.
Reflect: "Was this source helpful to you? How does it help you shape your argument? How can you use this source in your research project? Has it changed how you think about your topic?"
Sample Solution
Absolutely. Here are four sources focusing on the impact of social media on adolescent mental health, along with annotations and reflections in APA 7th edition format:
1. Source:
- Twenge, J. M. (2017). iGen: Why today's super-connected kids are growing up less rebellious, more tolerant, less happy--and completely unprepared for adulthood--and what that means for the rest of us. Atria Books.
Annotation:
- Summary: Twenge's book examines the generation born after 1995, dubbed "iGen," and argues that their heavy reliance on smartphones and social media has significantly impacted their mental health and developmental trajectories. The book discusses how increased screen time correlates with higher rates of depression, anxiety, and loneliness, while also exploring the decline in traditional social activities. It covers topics such as the effects of social comparison, cyberbullying, and the constant connectivity that characterizes iGen's lives.
Full Answer Section
- Evaluation: This book is a comprehensive and widely cited source that provides a broad overview of the potential negative effects of social media on adolescents. Twenge draws on extensive research and data, making the book a valuable resource. While the author's perspective is somewhat deterministic, emphasizing the negative impacts, the book's goal is to raise awareness and spark discussion about the challenges facing iGen. It is a reliable source from an established researcher. It is useful to compare to other sources that may focus on more specific issues.
- Reflection: This source provided a foundational understanding of the potential links between social media and adolescent mental health. It helped me frame my research by highlighting the importance of considering generational differences and the pervasive nature of technology in young people's lives. I can use this source to establish the broader context of the issue and to support arguments about the need for interventions and support systems. This book broadened my perspective regarding the sheer quantity of time that modern adolescents spend online.
2. Source:
- Rideout, V. (2016). Social media, social life: Teens reveal their experiences. Common Sense Media.
Annotation:
- Summary: This report presents findings from a large-scale survey of teenagers, exploring their experiences with social media and its impact on their social lives. It examines how teens use social media for communication, entertainment, and information, while also addressing concerns such as cyberbullying, privacy, and the potential for negative effects on well-being. The report focuses on the teens' own perspectives, providing valuable insights into their online experiences.
- Evaluation: This report is a valuable source for understanding the lived experiences of teenagers on social media. Common Sense Media is a reputable organization that provides objective and reliable research on media and technology. The report is useful for gaining a nuanced understanding of the complexities of social media use among adolescents, as it provides a look at both the positive and negative aspects. This report is a good source for getting raw data, and the feelings of the teens themselves.
- Reflection: This source provided qualitative data that complemented the quantitative findings from other sources. It helped me understand the subjective experiences of teenagers on social media and the diverse ways in which they use these platforms. I can use this source to provide real-life examples and to support arguments about the need for media literacy education and responsible social media use. This report helped me to see that social media is not all bad, and that there are positive aspects that need to be considered.
3. Source:
- Orben, A., & Przybylski, A. K. (2019). The association between adolescent well-being and digital technology use. Nature Human Behaviour, 3(2), 173-182.
Annotation:
- Summary: This journal article investigates the association between adolescent well-being and digital technology use, including social media. It challenges the prevailing narrative that screen time is inherently harmful, arguing that the relationship is complex and nuanced. The authors use large datasets to explore the potential effects of digital technology on various aspects of well-being, such as life satisfaction, depressive symptoms, and emotional problems.
- Evaluation: This is a peer-reviewed journal article published in a reputable scientific journal, making it a reliable and credible source. The authors' goal is to provide a more nuanced understanding of the relationship between digital technology and adolescent well-being. The article is valuable for its methodological rigor and its challenge to simplistic assumptions. It is useful to read this article in conjunction with other articles that have less nuanced views.
- Reflection: This source challenged my preconceived notions about the direct negative impact of social media. It highlighted the importance of considering the complexity of the relationship between technology and well-being and the need for more nuanced research. I can use this source to argue against overly simplistic claims and to advocate for a more balanced approach to understanding the issue. This article helped me to understand that the amount of time spent online is not the only factor to consider.
4. Source:
- Boyd, d. (2014). It's complicated: The social lives of networked teens. Yale University Press.
Annotation:
- Summary: Boyd's book provides an in-depth exploration of how teenagers navigate their social lives in the digital age. It examines the complexities of online interactions, including issues of privacy, identity, and social dynamics. The book challenges common misconceptions about teenagers' online behavior and provides a nuanced understanding of their experiences.
- Evaluation: This book is a well-researched and insightful exploration of the social lives of networked teens. Boyd's expertise in digital culture and her ethnographic approach make this a valuable source. The book's goal is to provide a more accurate and nuanced understanding of teenagers' online experiences. It is a reliable source from a well respected author.
- Reflection: This source helped me understand the social context of adolescents' online interactions. It highlighted the importance of considering the social and cultural factors that shape their online behavior. I can use this source to provide a more nuanced understanding of the issue and to support arguments about the need for interventions that address the social complexities of online life. This book helped me to understand that teens are not simply victims of social media, but that they are also active participants in shaping their online experiences.