Young adults' reflections on their experiences of social media use during adolescence

Abstract

Approximately forty percent of the world population currently has access to the internet, with growing popularity among adolescents who can access social media and the internet at any time and place. Social media use can be advantageous in terms of social support and learning opportunities, but a growing body of research indicates links to poor mental health among young individuals (Kelly, Zilananwala, Booker & Sacker, 2018:59). This study explored young adults' reflections on their experiences of social media use during adolescence with the goal of better understanding the effects of social media use on a sample of South African adolescents. The study formed part of a group research project in which several researchers conducted individual studies countrywide on the topic. The goal of the study was to explore and describe young adults’ reflections on their experiences of social media use during adolescence, and the research question for the study was: What are young adults’ reflections on their experiences of social media use during adolescence? In order to accomplish the research goal and to answer the research question, the following research methodology was employed: A qualitative research approach; an interpretivist paradigm; the research was regarded as applied research and was guided by an instrumental case study design. The sample was selected by means of snowball and purposive sampling; data was collected by means of a semi-structured interview, with the use of an interview schedule; and thematic analysis was utilised to analyse the data that was obtained. The theoretical framework for this study was Bronfenbrenner’s ecological systems theory. The researcher interviewed 10 participants who fit the specific criteria for inclusion; the sample consisted of young adults living in South Africa, within the geographical area of the City of Tshwane. These young adults had experience of using a range of social media during their adolescent years. Participants were between the ages of 19 and 25 and gave an account of their reflections on their social media use between the ages of 11 and 18. The findings of the study indicated that adolescent social media use affected growth and development within all the ecological systems of the participants. Participants were also affected in terms of their biological development (i.e., physical, cognitive, emotional, social, moral as well as their identity development). Numerous safety concerns and risks that exist for young individuals who are growing up in an era where social media and ICTs cannot be avoided was evident, leading to the recommendations that were made for professionals that work with the development and treatment of this vulnerable population group. The recommendations that were suggested for professionals, relevant organisations, families and communities to adopt and follow can make a difference to safeguard children and adolescents from the harmful effects that social media use can hold for all consumers and assist them to reap the benefits that such platforms can provide.