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Online social networking amongst teens: Friend or foe?

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Bridianne O'Dea at UNSW Sydney
Bridianne O'Dea
Andrew J Campbell at The University of Sydney
Andrew J Campbell
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The impact of Internet communication on adolescent social development is of considerable importance to health professionals, parents and teachers. Online social networking and instant messaging programs are popular utilities amongst a generation of techno-savvy youth. Although these utilities provide varied methods of communication, their social benefits are still in question. This study examined the relationship between online social interaction, perceived social support, self-esteem and psychological distress amongst teens. A total of 400 participants (M(age) = 14.31 years) completed an online survey consisting of parametric and non-parametric measures. No significant relationship was found between online interaction and social support. Time spent interacting online was negatively correlated with self-esteem and psychological distress. While previous research has focused on young adults, this study examines the impact of online social networking on emerging teens. It highlights the need for continued caution in the acceptance of these utilities.
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Online Social Networking Amongst Teens:
Friend or Foe?
Bridianne O’DEAa,1 and Andrew CAMPBELLa
a The University of Sydney, Australia
Abstract. The impact of Internet communication on adolescent social
development is of considerable importance to health professionals, parents and
teachers. Online social networking and instant messaging programs are popular
utilities amongst a generation of techno-savvy youth. Although these utilities
provide varied methods of communication, their social benefits are still in question.
This study examined the relationship between online social interaction, perceived
social support, self-esteem and psychological distress amongst teens. A total of
400 participants (Mage = 14.31 years) completed an online survey consisting of
parametric and non-parametric measures. No significant relationship was found
between online interaction and social support. Time spent interacting online was
negatively correlated with self-esteem and psychological distress. While previous
research has focused on young adults, this study examines the impact of online
social networking on emerging teens. It highlights the need for continued caution
in the acceptance of these utilities.
Keywords. adolescents, online social networking, psychological wellbeing
Introduction
With over 500 million users connecting every day, online social networks are
transforming the nature and process of human relationships. Traditional social
interaction is now replicated online as a result of increased Internet access, particularly
amongst youth. The Internet has come to represent not only an informational tool, but
also a space where teens can offer and receive support [1]. Online social networking
sites (SNS) such as Facebook and MySpace have vastly augmented the ability of
individuals to interact, regardless of demographic or geographic restrictions [2]. The
popularity of these utilities, combined with their ability to bridge offline and online
connections, creates a unique context for exploring the changing nature of adolescent
socialization and the implications for their wellbeing.
In adults, recent studies have demonstrated that online social networking does not
lead to closer emotional relationships offline [3]. It has also been found that time spent
on SNS is not related to individual wellbeing [4], or an increase in social network size
[5]. Whilst SNS develop social capital [6] and encourage self-disclosure [7], these
utilities also provide a space for negative interactions. Declining or ignoring friend
1 Corresponding Author: Bridianne O’Dea, Faculty of Health Sciences, Cumberland Campus, The
University of Sydney, Australia; E-mail: bridianne.odea@sydney.edu.au.
Annual Review of Cybertherapy and Telemedicine 2011
B.K. Wiederhold et al. (Eds.)
IOS Press, 2011
© 2011 The Interactive Media Institute and IOS Press. All rights reserved.
doi:10.3233/978-1-60750-766-6-133
133
requests and ranking the importance of friends through site applications were found to
be detrimental to offline relationships [8]. Interpersonal relationships may also be
subjected to increased jealousy and distrust as a result of SNS activity [9]. These
findings highlight both positive and negative experiences associated with the use of
online SNS.
With previous research focusing on young adults and above (18+), little is known
about the impact of online social interaction on younger teens (13-16). Adolescent self-
esteem can be affected by the tone of feedback received from online social profiles [10].
However, the effect on social support is unknown. Adolescence is a crucial
developmental phase where meaningful friendships begin to emerge. Teens experiment
with various social behaviors and experience different emotional responses than those
of older adolescents and adults [11]. The aim of this study is to explore the effect of
online interaction on social support, self-esteem and psychological distress amongst
emerging adolescents. It was hypothesised that online social interaction would have no
effect on social support, but would be negatively correlated with self-esteem and
psychological distress.
1. Method
1.1. Sample and Procedure
A total of 400 participants (54.8% female; Mage= 14.31 years, SD = 1.16 years)
completed an online survey under the supervision of a researcher. Some questions were
relevant to only a subsample, therefore n varies for different analyses. The study
received ethics approval from the University of Sydney Human Research Ethics
committee.
In this sample, 76.8% of participants (n = 181) had private access to the Internet.
The home was the main location of Internet access (80.3%) and there was an average of
2.88 (SD: 1.60) computers in each household. A total of 73.7% rarely or never asked
for their parent’s permission before accessing the Internet.
1.2. Measures
The online survey consisted of three psychometric measures including the
Multidimensional Scale for Perceived Social Support (MSPSS) [12], Self-Esteem scale
[13] and the K6 for psychological distress (K6) [14]. It also included questions relating
to Internet use and activity. The MSPSS is a 12-item scale that divides into three scores
relating to the source of social support including family, friends and significant other. It
is answered on a seven-point scale ranging from very strongly disagree (1) to very
strongly agree (7). Rosenberg’s Self-Esteem questionnaire is a uni-dimensional, self-
reported scale. Consisting of 10 items, questions are answered on a four-point scale
ranging from “strongly agree” (3) to “strongly disagree” (0). The K6 scale was used to
B.O’Dea and A.Campbell / Online Social Networking Amongst Teens: Friend or Foe?134
measure how frequently (during that past 30 days) participants experienced symptoms
of non-specific psychological distress. Using a five-point scale, answers range from
“all of the time” (1) to “none of the time” (5).
2. Results
Table 1 shows the psychometric properties of the self-reported outcome measures.
Table 1. Psychometric Properties of the Self-reported Outcome Measures.
Variable
n
M
SD
á
Range
Skew
Potential Actual
MSPSS
Family
Friend
Sig. O ther
Tot al
Self-Esteem
Psychological Distress
377
377
377
377
371
370
21.17
21.58
21.87
64.62
19.04
22.52
6.00
5.60
5.89
15.37
4.91
4.74
.91
.92
.92
.94
.85
.85
4-28
4-28
4-28
12-84
0-30
6-30
4-28
4-28
4-28
12-84
0-30
6-30
-1. 16
-1. 35
-1. 34
-1. 50
-.259
-.818
As some variables were heavily skewed, Mann Whitney-U tests were used to
compare males and females in their psychometric scores. Females reported
significantly higher social support from significant others (M: 22.92, SD: 5.35)
compared to males (M: 20.54, SD: 6.27) [p < .001]. Females also reported significantly
higher levels of social support from friends (M: 22.86, SD: 4.57) compared to males
(M: 19.98, SD: 6.33) [p <.001]. Males reported significantly higher levels of self-
esteem (M: 20.06, SD: 4.86) [p <.001] and lower levels of psychological distress (M:
23.06, SD: 5.03) [p <.05]. Significant positive correlations were found between MSPSS
total, self-esteem (rs = .343, n = 370, p <.001) and psychological distress (rs = .358, n =
370, p <.001). Significant positive correlations were also found between self-esteem
and psychological distress (rs = .622, n = 370, p <.001).
3. Internet Use and Online Social Networking
Participants used the Internet for an average of 2.53 (SD: 1.85) hours per day; 83.8% of
participants rated their ability to use the Internet as “good or excellent.” Online social
networking (n = 198) was ranked as the most popular Internet function alongside
information searching (n = 144) and IM programs (n = 116). Educational programs
were the least used function of the Internet (n = 8).
A total of 72.5% (n = 290) of participants reported using SNS. Amongst these
users, Facebook was the most popular with 97.5% using this utility. On a typical day,
participants visited their site up to 2.75 (SD: 3.94) times and spent an average of 63.39
(SD: 58.37) minutes networking. The primary use of SNS was keeping in contact with
local friends (58.7%). Wall posts were the most popular function (29.9%) followed by
B.O’Dea and A.Campbell / Online Social Networking Amongst Teens: Friend or Foe? 135
chat (19.6%), status updates (13.5%), and photo viewing (12.8%). Without SNS, 66.5%
said they wouldn’t know less about their friends and 63.7% said they wouldn’t have
less contact.
When asked about their privacy settings, 75.5% had their profile on private or
limited, 11% had a public profile, and 13.5% were unsure of their privacy settings.
When asked how often unknown friend requests were accepted, 13.5% reported always,
37.7% sometimes, and 48.7% rarely or never. A total of 75.8% of participants said they
would be uncomfortable with strangers accessing their site. The majority of
participants (88.6%) had parental acknowledgement to use these sites, however, 6.8%
did not know what their parents thought.
Users of online SNS (M: 21.39, SD: 5.63) reported significantly lower levels of
social support from their family than non-users (M: 22.53, SD: 6.23) [p = .017]. There
were no significant differences in other independent variables.
A significant negative correlation was found between time spent on SNS and self-
esteem (rs = -.146, n = 281, p <.05), as well as psychological distress (rs = -.139, n =
281, p < .05). A significant negative correlation was also found between SNS visits and
MSPSS for family (rs = -.129, n = 280, p <.05). As shown in Table 2, multiple
regression analysis was used to assess the ability of SNS time to predict levels of self-
esteem. Of the 290 participants who used SNS, 96% answered questions relating to
time spent on SNS, visits to SNS, MSPSS, self-esteem and psychological distress.
Time spent on SNS and MSPSS were found to be the only significant predictors of
self-esteem (R2 = .087, F (2, 278) = 13.259, p < .001).
Table 2. Predictors of Self-Esteem.
Variable B SE B _ 95% CI
Constant 161.299 15.815
[
130.166 , 192.433
]
MSPSS .253 * .056 .258 [.142 , .363]
SNS time -.188 * * .073 -.147 [-.332 , -.044]
R
2
.087
F 13.259
Note 1: N = 281 CI = Confidence Interval. *p < .001 ** p < .05
Note 2: Distress was not entered as a predictor due to colinearity
Note 3: The same variables also predict distress (R2 = .096, F (2, 278) = 14.736, p < .001).
4. Discussion
This study examined the use of online social networking in young adolescents. In
particular, we focused on the relationship between self-esteem, psychological distress
and time spent on SNS. Similar to past research, a high percentage of participants used
SNS regularly. Unlike older users who may engage in SNS to “social search” for old
friends and re-connect relations [15], participants in this study used SNS to interact
with local friends that they see regularly. Despite frequent use, participants did not
perceive online communication to be necessary to their social life [16]. Participants did
B.O’Dea and A.Campbell / Online Social Networking Amongst Teens: Friend or Foe?136
not rely on SNS for development of friendships, but instead viewed SNS as an
alternative method to mobile and face-to-face communication.
The results of this study identified a significant link between self-esteem,
psychological distress and the use of SNS. Past research has found that self-esteem can
be enhanced or decreased according to the nature of feedback received on social
network profiles and how much time one spends on their own profile [17, 18]. As
results identified time on SNS as a predictive variable for self-esteem, participants of
this age may experience higher instances of negative feedback when compared to older
users of SNS. This age group may spend more time browsing other individuals’
profiles rather than spending time on their own. As the opportunity for feedback is
minimal in this process, interaction with SNS may become detrimental to self-esteem.
Future studies would benefit from focusing on the nature of feedback received by teens
of this age and through what function of SNS it is received.
As research in this area is divided, it cannot be definitively shown that teens with
low self-esteem and high distress seek out Internet interaction more often than their
peers. Instead, the results of this study justify further research into the causal
relationship between Internet interaction and lower psychological wellbeing [19].
Amongst children, Internet use is associated with social problems when it is used for
communicative purposes [20]. Research has also found that frequent online
communication by teens is positively related to compulsive Internet use within six
months [21]. This indicates that the nature of Internet use, independent of user
characteristics, may determine the psychological impact of Internet interaction.
This study highlights the contribution of social Internet use to the psychological
wellbeing of young adolescents. Results suggest that spending large amounts of time
online for social purposes may increase psychological distress and have a negative
impact on self-esteem. However, this is an exploratory study. It is limited by the use of
a convenience sample. Future research would benefit from incorporating teens with
varied cultural backgrounds and different levels of education. In an age where
technology has become omnipresent in the social lives of young people, this study
emphasizes the need for serious consideration towards the unregulated use of online
social utilities amongst teens.
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... It is an interactive media source which allows young people to keep in contact and share information (Moreno, 2010). The information from the literature search shows that many adolescents interact with their social networking sites at least an hour a day; and it is a number one activity for teens (O'Dea, & Campbell, 2011). According to O'Dea et.al (2011), the most frequently used forms of online communication are: updating one's own profile, commenting on photos or other post, posting public messages to others or wall style messages, social networking instant messaging; while the reading and writing of blogs remains in the top ten online activities carried out by teens. ...
... According to O'Dea et.al (2011), the most frequently used forms of online communication are: updating one's own profile, commenting on photos or other post, posting public messages to others or wall style messages, social networking instant messaging; while the reading and writing of blogs remains in the top ten online activities carried out by teens. Twitter and Facebook and Instagram represent a highly utilized forum for cyber bullying (Walker, 2015;O'Dea et al. 2011). ...
... In a study examining the mental health effects of social media use among adolescents, Sampsa-Kanyinga and Lewis (2015) found that self-reported social media use of more than two hours per day was associated with increased levels of psychological distress. Similarly, O'Dea and Campbell (2011), found a significant relationship between self-reported time spent using social media and psychological distress. These findings are consistent with previous research indicating a positive relationship between Facebook interaction and psychological distress (Chen and Lee, 2013). ...
... The far majority of past findings reporting an association between psychological distress (e.g. anxiety and depression), with social media use have relied on self-report (Bettman et al., 2020;Keles et al., 2020;Marino et al., 2018;O'Dea and Campbell, 2011;Primack and Escobar-Viera, 2017;Rosen et al., 2013;Sampasa-Kanyinga and Lewis, 2015). Recent research has also noted that relationships between attention control and related emotion factors may be inflated when relying on self-report measures of attention control that show little relationship to behavioural attention control measures, like the antisaccade task utilised in the current study (Todd et al., 2022). ...
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... This result is consistent with a previous study that found a negative correlation between the time spent on social media and psychological distress prior to COVID-19. 45 Among participants in India, the occurrence of COVID-19-related distress caused by social media was greater than sleep difficulties and paranoia about infection. 7 Clearly, people must restrict the time they spend reading and watching COVID-19 news on social media to avoid provoking anxiety and distress. ...
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Frequent Social Media Use and Its Prospective Association With Mental Health Problems in a Representative Panel Sample of US Adolescents
Article
Purpose: This study examined the relationship between frequent social media use and subsequent mental health in a representative sample of US adolescents. Also investigated were sex differences in multiyear growth trajectories of mental health problem internalization relative to social media use. Methods: Four waves (2013-2018) of nationally representative, longitudinal Population Assessment of Tobacco and Health data were analyzed. A total of 5,114 US adolescents aged 12-14 years at baseline had repeated data across all waves. Statistical analysis involved testing a series of sequential-weighted single-group and multi-group latent growth curve models using R version 3.6.2. Results: Of the 5,114 respondents, 2,491 were girls (48.7%). The percentage of frequent social media use was 26.4% at Wave 1 and 69.1% at Wave 4 for boys compared to 38.3% and 80.6% for girls (p < .001). Boys showed an improving (-0.218, p = .005) but girls showed a deteriorating linear trend (0.229, p = .028) for mental health at the full multigroup latent growth curve model. Social media use accounted for mental health conditions across Waves 1-3 for boys (ps<.01) but only at Wave 1 for girls (p = .035). With the addition of the social media use variable alone, model fit dramatically improved, and residual variances in growth patterns (i.e., random effect) became nonsignificant for boys. Substantial sex differences existed in baseline status, directionality, and shape of mental health growth trajectories as well as interplay of social media use with other factors. Discussion: Findings of the study suggest that frequent social media use is associated with poorer subsequent mental health for adolescents.
The Effect of Social Media Use on Depression in Adolescents: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis
Article
Full-text available
  • Apr 2021
Background and Aim: Concerns are increasingly raised about the impact of social media use on depression in adolescents. This article aimed to summarize and synthesize quantitative studies addressing the association between social media and depression in adolescents. Methods & Materials: This systematic review and meta-analysis included studies on the impact of the internet and social media use on depression in adolescents using Persian and English databases. In total, 15 studies met the inclusion criteria and were included in the analysis. Ethical Considerations: All ethical principles are considered in this article. Results: The obtained data revealed a slight (0.18) statistically significant correlation (P
Social Connections, Depression and Anxiety
Article
  • Apr 2021
Social networks are virtual spaces currently connecting over 3.8 billion users worldwide. The number of users and the number of different social networks is constantly growing, which indicates that technology-mediated daily life has become an integral part of life in the 21st century. It is indubitable that there are many advantages to technological progress, but the question remains whether the use of social networks necessarily contributes to the wellbeing and quality of life of every individual. Over the last decade, a growing number of studies have attempted to clarify the connection between the use of social networks and mental health. In the context of social networks, the most-studied factor is the subjective assessment of time spent on social networks and the type of social network use in those periods (active/passive use). In the context of mental health, the anxiety and depression have been most extensively studied, while self-esteem, fear of missing out, social comparison, and loneliness have shown themselves to be mediators/moderators in the association between social networks and mental health. However, it is extremely important to place existing research in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic. This review article presents the main findings in this field with the clear conclusion that further longitudinal and experimental studies are required to clarify the causal direction of this relationship and the potential protective and risk factors, especially in the context of the alterations in the importance of social networks in maintaining social contacts during the pandemic.
The Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support
Article
Full-text available
  • Mar 1988
The development of a self-report measure of subjectively assessed social support, the Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support (MSPSS), is described. Subjects included 136 female and 139 male university undergraduates. Three subscales, each addressing a different source of support, were identified and found to have strong factorial validity: (a) Family, (b) Friends, and (c) Significant Other. In addition, the research demonstrated that the MSPSS has good internal and test-retest reliability as well as moderate construct validity. As predicted, high levels of perceived social support were associated with low levels of depression and anxiety symptomatology as measured by the Hopkins Symptom Checklist. Gender differences with respect to the MSPSS are also presented. The value of the MSPSS as a research instrument is discussed, along with implications for future research.
The Benefits of Facebook “Friends:” Social Capital and College Students’ Use of Online Social Network Sites
Article
Full-text available
This study examines the relationship between use of Facebook, a popular online social network site, and the formation and maintenance of social capital. In addition to assessing bonding and bridging social capital, we explore a dimension of social capital that assesses one's ability to stay connected with members of a previously inhabited community, which we call maintained social capital. Regression analyses conducted on results from a survey of undergraduate students (N=286) suggest a strong association between use of Facebook and the three types of social capital, with the strongest relationship being to bridging social capital. In addition, Facebook usage was found to interact with measures of psychological well-being, suggesting that it might provide greater benefits for users experiencing low self-esteem and low life satisfaction.
Friend Me or You'll Strain Us: Understanding Negative Events That Occur over Social Networking Sites
Article
Full-text available
  • Mar 2011
Social networking sites (SNSs) provide the ideal infrastructure for the maintenance of existing relationships and the development of new contacts. Although these Web-based technologies supplement offline relationships, several of their characteristics have the potential to provoke negative experiences. The interpersonal strain and other relational problems stemming from negative events have recently gained notoriety. This investigation examines personal accounts of users who have experienced these negative events, which are described as any encounter or behavior exercised by others that instigates interpersonal strain, on SNSs to understand better the nature of this phenomenon. Using a mixed-methods approach, open coding of open-ended responses revealed 10 negative event types that surface during participation on SNSs. Quantitative coding was then used to identify a cut-off point for the most frequently experienced negative events. The findings reveal that the three most commonly experienced negative event types include ignoring or denying friend requests, deleting public messages or identification tags, and identifying ranking disparities on Top Friends applications. The practical, theoretical, and negative social implications of participation on SNSs are discussed.
Use of Social Network Sites and Instant Messaging Does Not Lead to Increased Offline Social Network Size, or to Emotionally Closer Relationships with Offline Network Members
Article
Full-text available
  • Nov 2010
The effect of Internet use on social relationships is still a matter of intense debate. This study examined the relationships between use of social media (instant messaging and social network sites), network size, and emotional closeness in a sample of 117 individuals aged 18 to 63 years old. Time spent using social media was associated with a larger number of online social network "friends." However, time spent using social media was not associated with larger offline networks, or feeling emotionally closer to offline network members. Further, those that used social media, as compared to non-users of social media, did not have larger offline networks, and were not emotionally closer to offline network members. These results highlight the importance of considering potential time and cognitive constraints on offline social networks when examining the impact of social media use on social relationships.
Potential of e-health in relation to depression: Short survey of previous research
Article
E-health is developing at a high rate and represents an opportunity for the development and spreading of information and communication channels to interested parties. The aim of this study was to get an overview and comprehension of the e-health field, with special focus on depression. A survey of initiatives and studies regarding e-health and depression was carried out. Relevant articles were found through searches on databases, search engines and reference lists. This paper shows that many different initiators with differing goals and motives are active within the e-health field. In the field of e-health and depression, the following areas show interesting results: studies mapping users’ profile and habits, the quality of health-related information and the effectiveness of online therapies and supportive communities. Numerous initiators have launched different kinds of e-health initiatives. The potential of the Internet to be used constructively by health-care professionals and health-care consumers for health-enhancing purposes still needs to be mapped, evaluated and developed.
Society And The Adolescent Self-Image
Book
  • Dec 1965
There are few topics so fascinating both to the research investigator and the research subject as the self-image. It is distinctively characteristic of the human animal that he is able to stand outside himself and to describe, judge, and evaluate the person he is. He is at once the observer and the observed, the judge and the judged, the evaluator and the evaluated. Since the self is probably the most important thing in the world to him, the question of what he is like and how he feels about himself engrosses him deeply. This is especially true during the adolescent stage of development.
Use of Social-Networking Sites and Subjective Well-Being: A Study in South Korea
Article
  • Mar 2011
Social-networking sites (SNSs) provide users with a unique computer-mediated environment where individuals are able to disclose their thoughts, feelings, and experiences within their circle of personal ties. From a positive psychological perspective, this research investigated the use of SNSs and users' subjective well-being. The results show that although the time spent using a SNS is not related to well-being, the amount of self-disclosure on SNSs is positively related to subjective well-being. In addition, an individual's socioeconomic status is negatively related to self-disclosing behavior.
The Associations among Computer-Mediated Communication, Relationships, and Well-being
Article
  • Jun 2010
Social support provided by interpersonal relationships is one of the most robust correlates of well-being. Self-disclosure serves as a basic building block of these relationships. With the rapid growth of the Internet in recent years, the question remains how self-disclosure, and subsequently relationships and well-being, differ when people communicate over the Internet rather than in person. The purpose of this article is to describe current Internet usage patterns as well as explore the association of Internet usage and well-being. Additionally, it directly compares the perceived benefits of face-to-face communication and computer-mediated communication. A questionnaire was administered to 99 undergraduates to measure Internet usage patterns, communication partners, self-disclosure, extraversion, and subjective well-being. Although Internet communication was found to be common, individuals perceived computer-mediated communication to be less useful than face-to-face communication. In addition, increased Internet usage was associated with decreased well-being. Implications are discussed in terms of a new Internet paradox in which people increasingly use the Internet for communication, although they perceive it to be less beneficial than face-to-face interactions and it is associated with reduced well-being.
Psychological Predictors of Young Adults' Use of Social Networking Sites
Article
  • Apr 2010
Young people are increasingly using social networking sites (SNSs) like MySpace and Facebook to engage with others. The use of SNSs can have both positive and negative effects on the individual; however, few studies identify the types of people who frequent these Internet sites. This study sought to predict young adults' use of SNSs and addictive tendency toward the use of SNSs from their personality characteristics and levels of self-esteem. University students (N = 201), aged 17 to 24 years, reported their use of SNSs and addictive tendencies for SNSs use and completed the NEO Five-Factor Personality Inventory and the Coopersmith Self-Esteem Inventory. Multiple regression analyses revealed that, as a group, the personality and self-esteem factors significantly predicted both level of SNS use and addictive tendency but did not explain a large amount of variance in either outcome measure. The findings indicated that extroverted and unconscientious individuals reported higher levels of both SNS use and addictive tendencies. Future research should attempt to identify which other psychosocial characteristics explain young people's level of use and propensity for addictive tendencies for these popular Internet sites.