Explore projects in the Use of Social Media!
These projects explore how children and adolescents engage with social media and how this engagement shapes their social, emotional, and cognitive development. Research in this area investigates both the risks and opportunities of social media use, including its impact on self-esteem, identity formation, peer relationships, mental health, and academic performance. Projects may examine patterns of usage, content exposure, online behaviors, and the role of parental guidance or digital literacy. Many studies aim to understand how youth navigate online spaces and how social media can be used to support positive development, connection, and well-being in an increasingly digital world.
“Social Media Mix 3D Icons – Mix -2” by Blogtrepreneur is licensed under CC BY 2.0 via Wikimedia Commons
.jpg){kind=link}
- Characteristics of media use and linguistic trajectories during early childhoodProject Abstract/Summary Young children today use over 2 hours of media per day on average, and some children use much more. There is considerable societal concern about the effects of media use on young children. However, we know very little about how media affects children’s language development over time. Media use could negatively impact language development by displacing other important activities like shared book reading and interactions with parents and peers. This is a crucial area to study because early… Read more: Characteristics of media use and linguistic trajectories during early childhood
- CAREER: Social Media and Body Image Among Adolescent Girls: A Multimethod Investigation of Developmental ProcessesProject Abstract/Summary Social media use has transformed adolescents’ interpersonal interactions, with important implications for body image. The majority of U.S. teen girls experience body image concerns, which include body dissatisfaction, body shame, and self-objectification. Body image concerns can negatively impact adolescent development, with increased risk for mental health symptoms and low self-esteem. Social media use likely exacerbates body image concerns for many adolescent girls, but the mechanisms are not yet well understood. The overarching goal of this NSF CAREER project… Read more: CAREER: Social Media and Body Image Among Adolescent Girls: A Multimethod Investigation of Developmental Processes