Table 2 shows that 27 of 32 respondents reported being on a sports team as a child.
Qualitative data analysis reported that 19 of 32 respondents reported that someone made them feel better when discouraged. See Table 3
The Consequences of Social Media: Possible
Implications of Social Networking on Young Adults
Northern New Mexico College
Department of Integrated Studies in Humanities and Social Sciences,
Psychology Emphasis
Abstract
Data Collection and Methods
•The purpose of this exploratory paper
is to review the affects of numerous
hours individuals spent on social
media networking sites, and how it
may affect their self esteem.
•Based upon analysis of the data,
implies support for the study’s
hypothesis of, an increase in the
hourly use of social media sites by
younger individuals.
•The research was conducted by the
author, who has completed an online
research ethics course through the
National Institute of Health.
•This is a one shot case study, utilizing
survey methods of data collection.
•The population of the study was Northern
New Mexico College, while the sample was
5 general education classes.
•In order to test the hypothesis, data was
collected through a combination of survey
research, and content analysis.
•Because research design deems the null
hypothesis as truth, both the assumption of
a negative effect and a positive effect upon
an individual’s self-esteem was tested.
•While a random sample is ideal for
research, due to multiple constraints, 52
individuals were asked to participate in a
10-question-questionaire.
Introduction
•While there has been an increase of
attention surrounding social media, it is the
purpose of this paper to highlight the abuse
of social media as well as the negative
impact it can play on mental health.
•The exploratory case study conducted,
demonstrated the increase in the number of
hours and websites young adults are using;
which can potentially pose a threat to
one’s identity.
•A recent U.S. national survey found that
87% of individuals between the ages of
18–32 currently go online regularly, and
that 60% of individuals in this age group
have created a personal profile on a social
networking website (Jones & Fox, 2009)
Theory
•The exploration of the relationship
individuals have with online networking
sites is a social-psychological inquiry of
empirical behaviorism.
•The theory of this paper is, young people
who hold value with other’s thoughts will
be negatively affected by an increased use
of social networking sites and media
•If there is an increase of negative
messages, such feedback will only aid in
the decrease of an individual’s sense of
self-worth and self-esteem
Hypothesis
•This paper put forward the idea that
individuals within Northern New Mexico
College have a low sense of self-worth and
use social networking sites for more than three
hours a week.
•Hypotheses based on this theoretical view
was tested as follows: students who identify
their self-worth positively will spend little
time on a couple social networking sites.
Students with a lower sense of self worth will
report higher use of social media across
multiple times.
Data Analysis and Findings
Ethics
•As per the National Institutes of
Health (NIH) all expectations were
strongly implemented throughout
the research process.
•All respondents were assured that
their responses were voluntary,
anonymous, and confidential.
Conclusions
•The table above, Table 1, is titled, What social
media do you use? In the cells across the top row
is the theme of how many answers individuals
provided.
•It is the words which were written in response to
the question, which were analyzed and recorded.
•Due to the increase of popularity with common
social media sites, like Facebook and Twitter,
more and more individuals are using social media
for longer periods of time.
•What is implied by the data collected supports
the studies hypothesis of an increase of social
media sites an individual uses among.
•With the multiple uses of several media outlets,
an individual is spending hours on all of the
preferred sites.
•It is the goal of this study to prove to be useful to any
reader who may be interested in social media, and the
possible affects it may have on the individuals who
partake in it.
•For this sample the data suggested individuals may be
negatively affected by the amount of time they are
spending on social media websites, or they are
unaware if they have been affected by it at all.
•The key variables in the study were the age, number
of hours socializing, and what websites were used.
•The questions asked were related to the topic of
interest and could aid in a replication study.
•Due to the one shot study the research done was not
reliable, although it was valid.
•The research presented has been interesting to survey
due to the fact that it is an exploratory idea, and may
gain more popularity through upcoming years.
•The study conducted, although limited to the area,
adds to previous studies in the past due to the ethnicity
and location of the current research.
References
•Random sample is the best method of
selecting a sample for three reasons: It
reduces the risk of bias, increases
representativeness, and allows
generalizability
•For the purpose of bringing awareness to
individuals about the harm of social
media, the data collected was analyzed
both in a quantitative- and qualitative
manner.
•All quantitative questions were
implemented and measured using a Likert
scale.
•Qualitative data was analyzed and
interrupted by the author.
• This research could prove to be useful in
the aiding surrounding young individuals
to continue to develop their own positive
sense of self, with a positive self-esteem,
and possibly prevent mental health issues.
•Chart 2 compares question 5 and 7 from the
questionnaire which was provided to each
participant. Question 5 reads, “Estimate how
many hours you spend on social media per day”
and question 7 required 5 separate answers in
which the respondent would scale certain
emotions; the chart above displays respondent’s
answers to the variable of texting in relation to
a positive self-worth from question 7.
•Ahn, J. The effect of social network sites on
adolescents' social and academic development:
Current theories and controversies (2011),
•Amori Yee Mikami, David E. Szwedo, Joseph P.
Allen, Meredyth A. Evans, and Amanda L. Hare
Adolescent Peer Relationships and Behavior
Problems Predict Young Adults' Communication on
Social Networking Websites (2010),
•(Sara Thomée, Lotta Dellve, Annika Härenstam,
and Mats Hagberg, Computer use and stress, sleep
disturbances, and symptoms of depression among
young adults – a prospective cohort study
(2010).www.ncbi.
• David E. Szwedo, Amori Yee Mikami, and Joseph
P. Allen Social Networking Site Use Predicts
Changes in Young Adults’ Psychological
Adjustment (2013)
•Brian A. Primack, MD, EdM, MS, Brandi Swanier,
BA, Anna M. Georgiopoulos, MD, Stephanie R.
Land, PhD, and Michael J. Fine, MD, MSc
Association Between Media Use in Adolescence
and Depression in Young Adulthood
(2010)p://www.ncbi.classic
•Ashwini Nadkarni, M.D. and Stefan G. Hofmann,
Ph.D. Why Do People Use Facebook? (2013)
Acknowledgements
•Chart 3 is also derived from question 5 and 7.
Question 5 reads, “Estimate how many hours
you spend on social media per day” and
question 7 required 5 separate answers in which
the respondent would scale certain emotions;
the chart above displays respondent’s answers
to the variable of Facebook in relation to a
positive self-worth from question 7.
I would like to thank NNMC
instructors for allowing their
students to be a part of this
research. The Student Success
Center and staff. As well as all
Northern New Mexico College
instructors who have contributed to
my research and thirst for
knowledge.