Develop a research question. In doing so, you should draw on the information that has been covered in this module to ensure that your question is scientifically sound, feasible, interesting, and ethical. What do I want you to do? In order to complete this assignment, you should do a search of the relevant scientific literature to see what is already known about your area of interest and what remains to be explored.

Assignment Question

Milestone Assessment 1 For this milestone assessment, you should develop a research question. In doing so, you should draw on the information that has been covered in this module to ensure that your question is scientifically sound, feasible, interesting, and ethical. What do I want you to do? In order to complete this assignment, you should do a search of the relevant scientific literature to see what is already known about your area of interest and what remains to be explored. As you gain a better understanding of the background information, you will ultimately be able to come to a specific research question. As you develop the question, you should make sure that you could test your question, that doing so would provide some scientific value and be of interest, and that answering your question would not violate any of the ethical principles. Why do I want you to do it? A major goal in this course is to have you become familiar with how research in psychology and other closely-related fields is conducted. Being able to review the existing literature and develop your own sound research question is an important first step in the overall research process. How do I want you to do it? In terms of format, you should write out your question followed by a few paragraphs of text in which you address those issues mentioned above. The entire milestone should not be more than 2-3 pages of typed, double spaced 12 point font text with one inch margins. Your assignment submission should include: A word, google doc, or pdf file

Assignment Answer

Research Question: How does the extent of social media use among adolescents correlate with their mental health outcomes, and what preventive strategies could be implemented to mitigate potential negative impacts?

Literature Review

The relationship between social media usage and adolescent mental health has been a subject of intense investigation. According to Twenge and Campbell (2018), prolonged screen time among adolescents has been associated with lower psychological well-being. This relationship raises concerns about the potential negative consequences of excessive social media use, such as increased feelings of anxiety, depression, and loneliness. Furthermore, research conducted by Kelly et al. (2020) indicates a steady increase in social media use among adolescents, raising the urgency to understand its impact on mental health. Despite these findings, it’s essential to acknowledge the dual nature of social media. Primack et al. (2017) highlight the potential for these platforms to foster social connections, presenting a more positive aspect of their influence on mental well-being.

The context in which social media is used by adolescents is crucial. Each platform, whether it’s Instagram, Facebook, Snapchat, or TikTok, presents unique content and interaction dynamics that might affect mental health differently (Primack et al., 2017). For instance, the curated imagery prevalent on platforms like Instagram might contribute to unrealistic body image standards, potentially impacting self-esteem among adolescents (Fardouly et al., 2015). Understanding these platform-specific nuances is vital in comprehending the overall impact on mental health.

Methodology

To comprehend the nuances in social media’s impact, a mixed-methods approach is proposed. Quantitative surveys will be used to gather data on the extent and nature of social media usage among adolescents, allowing for statistical analysis to establish correlations between usage patterns and mental health outcomes. Additionally, qualitative interviews will be conducted to explore subjective experiences and perceptions of the impact on mental health. This method allows for a deeper understanding of the qualitative aspects of the relationship between social media use and mental health, capturing the nuanced and subjective experiences of adolescents (Rideout, 2016).

Ethical considerations in this research are fundamental, especially considering the involvement of minors. Obtaining informed consent from both adolescents and their guardians is imperative to ensure their voluntary participation in the study (Kelly et al., 2020). Moreover, maintaining participant confidentiality and minimizing potential risks to the adolescents is paramount. Approaching this research without preconceived biases is essential; recognizing the potential for positive aspects of social media use while remaining vigilant about the negative correlations observed in existing literature is crucial (Primack et al., 2017).

Conclusion

This research aims to bridge the gap in understanding the intricate relationship between social media use and adolescent mental health. By exploring the nuanced correlations, the goal is to propose practical strategies that enhance the positive aspects of social media while mitigating potential detrimental effects on the mental well-being of adolescents in today’s digitally immersed society.

References

Fardouly, J., Diedrichs, P. C., Vartanian, L. R., & Halliwell, E. (2015). Social comparisons on social media: The impact of Facebook on young women’s body image concerns and mood. Body image, 13, 38-45.

Kelly, Y., Zilanawala, A., Booker, C., & Sacker, A. (2020). Social media use and adolescent mental health: Findings from the UK Millennium Cohort Study. EClinicalMedicine, 6, 59-68.

Primack, B. A., Shensa, A., Sidani, J. E., Whaite, E. O., Lin, L. Y., Rosen, D., … & Miller, E. (2017). Social media use and perceived social isolation among young adults in the US. American Journal of Preventive Medicine, 53(1), 1-8.

Rideout, V. (2016). The Common Sense Census: Plugged-in Parents of Tweens and Teens 2016. Common Sense Media.

Twenge, J. M., & Campbell, W. K. (2018). Associations between screen time and lower psychological well-being among children and adolescents: Evidence from a population-based study. Preventive Medicine Reports, 12, 271-283.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What are the potential negative impacts of excessive social media use on adolescent mental health?

Excessive social media use among adolescents has been associated with increased feelings of anxiety, depression, and loneliness. Studies suggest that prolonged screen time can lead to lower psychological well-being, raising concerns about its impact on mental health.

2. How does social media differ in its impact on adolescent mental health across various platforms?

Different social media platforms present unique content and interaction dynamics that might affect adolescent mental health differently. For instance, platforms like Instagram, with their emphasis on curated imagery, may contribute to unrealistic body image standards and potentially impact self-esteem.

3. What is the significance of ethical considerations in adolescent mental health research involving social media?

Ethical considerations are crucial, especially in research involving minors. Obtaining informed consent, ensuring confidentiality, and minimizing potential risks to adolescents are fundamental. Approaching the research without bias while recognizing both positive and negative aspects of social media use is essential.

4. What methods are proposed to study the relationship between social media and adolescent mental health?

A mixed-methods approach is suggested, utilizing both quantitative surveys and qualitative interviews. Surveys will provide statistical data on social media usage and mental health correlations, while interviews will capture subjective experiences and perceptions.

5. What is the goal of research investigating social media’s impact on adolescent mental health?

The primary aim is to understand the intricate relationship between social media use and adolescent mental health. By exploring nuanced correlations, the research aims to propose strategies that enhance positive aspects of social media while mitigating potential detrimental effects on adolescent well-being.