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This fall, researchers from The College of Texas at Arlington will launch an bold research to discover how teenagers’ on a regular basis experiences on social media might form their psychological well being and potential substance use.
UT Arlington Faculty of Social Work Professors Melissa Lewis and Dana Litt, in collaboration with lead investigator Karrie Curry, a analysis scientist on the College of North Texas Well being Science Middle, will comply with 250 adolescents of various backgrounds from throughout Texas.
By way of every day surveys over six weeks, the staff will seize how particular varieties of social media engagement have an effect on members’ emotions of tension and despair and tendency towards dangerous conduct, comparable to substance use.
A 12-month follow-up will assist decide whether or not these short-term interactions predict extra critical issues over time.
In contrast to most earlier analysis, which has centered on how a lot time teenagers spend on-line, this research will dig deeper into what they’re seeing, sharing and responding to on social media, and the way these interactions affect a variety of well being behaviors.
“We’re going to look at specific engagement with content related to the health behaviors we’re interested in,” Dr. Litt stated. “Is a teen just viewing content about substance use or mental health, or are they sharing it? Does that difference matter? We’re trying to understand exactly what about it is risky across certain days and over time.”
The research might assist result in higher prevention methods and supply dad and mom steering on how their youngsters navigate the complicated digital world.
“There’s research showing the risks of being online, but also some benefits,” Litt stated. “This study could help highlight both sides and create talking points for parents—for example, asking questions like “What do you get pleasure from on-line?” “What makes you content?” “What makes you unhappy?”
“Balancing the conversation, not just focusing on the scary parts, can really help. That’s something this research could lead to—future studies, prevention and interventions.”
Dad or mum interventions do not essentially should be a few particular matter like social media, psychological well being or alcohol; it is actually about dialog methods, Lewis stated.
“If something happens, like a problem with a peer or something on social media, parents need to approach those conversations in a way that encourages participation instead of just reacting with anger,” she stated.
The research’s findings might function a basis and inform methods to stop hurt and promote wholesome growth in adolescents.
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Can social media predict teen well being dangers? (2025, June 5)
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