Unit 2 Learning Journal

University of the People

SOC 1502-01 - Introduction to Sociology - AY2024-T5

Jacqoulene Hansberger

July 5, 2024
Research Proposal: The Role of Social Media in Shaping Adolescent Identity
Formation

1. Introduction

Adolescence is a period of rapid physical, psychological, and emotional changes, with

puberty timing playing a crucial role in shaping adolescents' experiences and behaviors. The

transition to adulthood has become more complex due to economic restructuring, changes in

educational and labor market demands, and social pathways. Social media among adolescents

is increasingly used for communication, leading to a complex relationship between social

media and psychosocial development. Research on its impact on adolescents is crucial, as

digital platforms significantly influence their development, behavior, and mental health.

Understanding these dynamics helps parents, educators, and policymakers develop strategies

to mitigate risks and promote healthy social media use.

2. Research Questions

1. How does social media influence the development of self-identity among

adolescents?

o How often do you use social media platforms (e.g., Instagram, TikTok,

Snapchat)?

o On a scale from 1 to 5, how much do you agree with the statement: "Social

media helps me understand who I am."

o What types of content (e.g., influencers, friends, celebrities) do you engage

with most on social media?

o Have you ever changed your personal interests or hobbies based on what you

see on social media? If yes, please provide an example.

 2. In what ways do social media interactions shape adolescents' social

relationships?

o How many hours per day do you spend interacting with friends on social

media?

o On a scale from 1 to 5, how much do you agree with the statement: "Social

media makes it easier for me to make new friends."

o How often do you communicate with your friends primarily through social

media rather than in person or via phone calls?

o Have you experienced any conflicts with friends due to social media

interactions? If yes, please describe the situation.

3. How does exposure to diverse content on social media affect adolescents'

perceptions of the world?

o How often do you come across news or educational content on social media?

o On a scale from 1 to 5, how much do you agree with the statement: "Social

media helps me stay informed about global issues."

o Have you ever changed your opinion on a social or political issue based on

something you saw on social media? If yes, please provide an example.

o How frequently do you see content from cultures or communities different

from your own on social media?

3. Hypothesis

The hypothesis of this study is that social media significantly influences adolescent identity

formation by shaping their self-identity, social relationships, and perceptions of the world.

Specifically, it is hypothesized that:

  Adolescents who spend more time on social media are more likely to experience

fluctuations in self-identity due to exposure to various ideals and lifestyles.

 Social media platforms facilitate the formation of social relationships, which can

either positively or negatively impact adolescents' social skills and peer interactions.

 The diverse content on social media influences adolescents' worldviews, potentially

leading to a broader or more fragmented perception of global issues.

4. Study Design

Methodology:

This study will utilize a mixed-methods approach, combining quantitative and qualitative

research methods to provide a comprehensive analysis of the research questions.

Quantitative Methods:

 Surveys: Online surveys will be administered to a representative sample of

adolescents aged 13-18. The survey will include questions about social media usage

patterns, self-perception, social relationships, and perceptions of world events.

Standardized scales will be used to measure self-identity, social connectedness, and

worldview breadth.

Qualitative Methods:

 Interviews: Semi-structured interviews will be conducted with a subset of survey

participants. The interviews will delve deeper into personal experiences with social

media, focusing on identity exploration, peer interactions, and the influence of online

content on their worldview.

  Content Analysis: A content analysis of popular social media platforms (e.g.,

Instagram, TikTok, Snapchat) will be conducted to identify prevalent themes and

trends in content consumed by adolescents. This analysis will provide context to the

survey and interview findings.

Rationale:

 Surveys allow for the collection of data from a large sample, providing generalizable

insights into social media's influence on adolescent identity formation.

 Interviews offer in-depth, personal perspectives that can highlight nuanced

experiences and provide a richer understanding of the quantitative findings.

 Content Analysis helps identify the types of content adolescents are exposed to,

offering a contextual backdrop to understand the survey and interview results better.

5. Ethical Considerations

Informed Consent:

 Participants and their guardians (for those under 18) will be required to provide

informed consent.

Confidentiality:

 Participant anonymity will be maintained throughout the research process. Data will

be stored securely, identifying information removed or coded to protect privacy.

Minimizing Harm:

 The study will avoid sensitive questions that may cause distress.
Child Protection:

 Researchers will adhere to all legal and ethical guidelines for conducting research

with minors.

6. Data Analysis

Quantitative data from the surveys will be analyzed using statistical software to identify

correlations and patterns in social media usage and identity-related variables. Qualitative data

from interviews will be transcribed and analyzed thematically to uncover recurring themes

and insights. The content analysis will be conducted using coding techniques to identify

dominant themes in social media content.

7. Conclusion

This research aims to provide a comprehensive understanding social media’s influence on

adolescent identity formation. By employing a mixed-methods approach, the study will

capture both broad patterns and in-depth personal experiences, contributing valuable insights

to the field of sociology and informing future interventions to support healthy adolescent

development.

Literature Review

The study titled "The Negative Effects of Social Media on the Social Identity of

Adolescents from the Perspective of Social Work," authored by Walaa Elsayed, investigated

the complex relationship between social media usage and the development of social identity
among adolescents. Elsayed (2021) uses a questionnaire based on James Marcia's theory &

surveyed 200 adolescents aged 15-18. The findings reveal negative impacts on adolescents'

social identity, including delayed identity achievement, identity foreclosure, identity

diffusion, and concerns about privacy and intellectual development (Elsayed, 2021). The

study emphasizes the importance of ethical standards, informed consent, confidentiality,

parental guidance, and institutional support. It calls for a holistic approach to address the

negative effects of social media on adolescent identity formation, focusing on longitudinal

studies to understand long-term effects and interventions.

Valerie Steeves' research, "Pretty and Just a Little Bit Sexy, I Guess: Publicity,

Privacy, and the Pressure to Perform 'Appropriate' Femininity on Social Media," explores the

dynamics of privacy, publicity, and the performance of femininity on social media. The

study, conducted in 2013, examined the experiences of girls aged 15-22 in Ontario, Canada,

and young women on social media. The research found that girls face pressure to conform to

societal standards of femininity, privacy and publicity, commercial influences, and control

over their online identities. To promote equality, safeguarding privacy and providing tools to

control online presence can help create spaces for girls to explore their identities without

succumbing to societal pressures.

"Research on Adolescence in the Twenty-First Century," authored by Robert Crosnoe

and Monica Kirkpatrick Johnson, provides a comprehensive review of contemporary research

on adolescence (2011). The authors utilize a life course framework to explore the various

pathways adolescents navigate, including physical, psychological, interpersonal, and

institutional dimensions. They focus on three main strands: developmental trajectories, social

pathways, and social convoys. The review emphasizes the importance of early puberty,

psychological development, social pathways, and social convoys in shaping adolescent

experiences (Crosnoe & Johnson, 2011). Future directions include integrating biological,

behavioral, and contextual data, linking adolescence to other life stages, and accounting for

major social changes.

Implications, Strengths and Limitations

The study on social media's impact on adolescent identity formation has significant

implications for stakeholders like parents, educators, policymakers, and mental health

professionals. It can inform targeted interventions to mitigate negative effects and enhance

positive outcomes. The research uses a mixed-methods approach, combining quantitative and

qualitative methods for a comprehensive analysis. It provides a holistic understanding of

social media's impact on adolescents, emphasizing ethical considerations and relevance.

However, limitations include self-reported data, sample representativeness, complexity of

influences, and rapid technological changes. Future research should include longitudinal

studies, diverse populations, interdisciplinary approaches, and intervention studies to track

changes in adolescent identity formation over time. The study's findings can be used to guide

adolescents in responsible social media use, promote digital literacy programs, and protect

young users from harmful content.

 References

Crosnoe, R., & Johnson, M. K. (2011). Research on Adolescence in the Twenty-First

Century. Annual Review of Sociology, 37, 439–460.

http://www.jstor.org/stable/41288616

Elsayed, W. (2021). The Negative Effects of Social Media on the Social Identity of

Adolescents from the Perspective of Social Work. Heliyon, 7(2).

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.heliyon.2021.e06327

Steeves, V. (2015). “Pretty and Just a Little Bit Sexy, I Guess”: Publicity, Privacy, and the

Pressure to Perform “Appropriate” Femininity on Social Media. In V. Steeves & J.

Bailey (Eds.), eGirls, eCitizens: Putting Technology, Theory and Policy into

Dialogue with Girls’ and Young Women’s Voices (pp. 153–174). University of

Ottawa Press. http://www.jstor.org/stable/j.ctt15nmj7f.10