13.2 Media influence and digital technology

Media shapes adolescent perspectives, attitudes, and behaviors through various channels like TV, movies, and social media. It influences body image, gender roles, political views, and risk-taking behaviors. Theories like social learning and cultivation explain how media impacts teens.

Digital technology presents risks and benefits for adolescent well-being. While cyberbullying and addiction are concerns, it also offers educational resources and creative outlets. Strategies for responsible use include digital citizenship education, parental mediation, and school-based interventions to promote healthy tech habits.

Media Influence on Adolescents

Impact of media on adolescents

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  Frontiers | Social Media Use and Mental Health and Well-Being Among Adolescents – A Scoping Review View original

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  Social Media’s Effect on Teens- Physically – Youth Voices View original

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  Frontiers | Media Literacy, Social Connectedness, and Digital Citizenship in India: Mapping ... View original

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  Frontiers | Social Media Use and Mental Health and Well-Being Among Adolescents – A Scoping Review View original

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  Social Media’s Effect on Teens- Physically – Youth Voices View original

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• Media types shape adolescent perspectives and behaviors through television, movies, music, video games, and internet content
• Attitudes affected include body image perceptions leading to self-esteem issues, gender role expectations reinforcing stereotypes, and cultural stereotypes influencing social interactions
• Beliefs influenced encompass political ideologies shaping civic engagement, social norms guiding peer interactions, and moral values impacting decision-making
• Behaviors impacted involve risk-taking activities (extreme sports), consumer habits (brand preferences), sexual behavior (early sexual activity), and violence and aggression (bullying)
• Theories explain media influence:
  1. Social learning theory: adolescents learn by observing and imitating media models
  2. Cultivation theory: long-term exposure to media shapes perceptions of reality
  3. Agenda-setting theory: media determines which issues are important to the public

Social media and adolescent identity

• Identity formation in digital spaces involves self-presentation online through carefully curated profiles, experimentation with different personas across platforms, and digital footprint awareness impacting future opportunities
• Social comparison processes occur through upward comparisons to idealized online personas and downward comparisons to less fortunate individuals, impacting self-esteem and self-worth
• Peer relationships evolve with social media maintaining existing friendships through constant connectivity, forming new connections based on shared interests, and providing online social support during challenging times
• Romantic relationships develop through online dating and courtship rituals (swiping, messaging), while long-distance relationships benefit from video calls and instant messaging
• Family dynamics shift with parent-child communication through social media platforms and a generational digital divide in technology use and understanding

Digital Technology and Adolescent Well-being

Risks vs benefits of digital technology

• Risks include cyberbullying and online harassment leading to mental health issues, internet addiction interfering with daily life, sleep disruption from late-night device use, exposure to inappropriate content (violence, pornography), and privacy concerns with data security breaches
• Benefits encompass access to educational resources expanding learning opportunities, skill development in digital literacy and coding, creative expression through content creation, global connectivity fostering cultural exchange, and platforms for social causes and activism empowering youth voices
• Cognitive impacts involve multitasking effects on attention span potentially reducing focus, information processing changes altering learning styles, and enhanced digital literacy and critical thinking skills for evaluating online content
• Physical health considerations include sedentary behavior from increased screen time leading to obesity, repetitive strain injuries from prolonged device use, and eye strain and vision problems from excessive screen exposure

Strategies for responsible media use

• Digital citizenship education teaches online etiquette (respectful communication), understanding digital rights and responsibilities (copyright laws), and critical evaluation of online information (fact-checking)
• Parental mediation strategies involve active mediation discussing media content, restrictive mediation setting rules and limits, and co-viewing and co-use of media together
• School-based interventions implement media literacy programs enhancing critical analysis skills, cyberbullying prevention initiatives promoting empathy, and responsible social media use workshops
• Technological solutions utilize content filtering and parental controls, screen time management apps tracking usage, and privacy-enhancing tools protecting personal information
• Balanced approach to technology use encourages offline activities and hobbies (sports, reading), sets boundaries for device usage (no phones at dinner), and promotes face-to-face social interactions
• Positive role modeling by adults demonstrates healthy technology habits and maintains open communication about online experiences
• Empowering adolescents involves teaching self-regulation skills for managing online time, encouraging critical thinking about media messages, and fostering digital leadership opportunities through youth-led initiatives