Any adolescent would be able to tell you that a hashtag is used on social media to group information together by topic, theme, or content. Search #Prom2018 and you will certainly find a plethora of prom photos posted on Instagram. Sometimes it also provides an opportunity for teens to cleverly caption a photo and obtain more likes or followers, #squadgoals. Nevertheless, the purpose here is simple. Just as we strive to be culturally competent across racial and ethnic groups, we should also strive to learn just as much about adolescent online culture, especially if adolescents are the primary population of clients we are working with. As you’ll see in the next section, the more you know, the better questions you can ask!
Any adolescent would be able to tell you that a hashtag is used on social media to group information together by topic, theme, or content. Search #Prom2018 and you will certainly find a plethora of prom photos posted on Instagram. Sometimes it also provides an opportunity for teens to cleverly caption a photo and obtain more likes or followers, #squadgoals. Nevertheless, the purpose here is simple. Just as we strive to be culturally competent across racial and ethnic groups, we should also strive to learn just as much about adolescent online culture, especially if adolescents are the primary population of clients we are working with. As you’ll see in the next section, the more you know, the better questions you can ask!
Assesing for an addiction to Social Media
Assesing for an addiction to Social Media
"What do you enjoy doing on the computer?"
"What do you enjoy doing on the computer?"
"What do you enjoy doing on the computer?"
Coping By Posting
Encourage safe, productive posting online! Why?
Studies have indicated that online social networking activities may help individuals reduce loneliness, accumulate social capital, and increase emotional satisfaction. Through online self-disclosures adolescents can receive social validation in the form of feedback from peers to validate their identities. Additionally, it is possible students experiencing depression use social media as a safe, indirect outlet for their negative emotions and also as a means of receiving positive reinforcement from their peers.
Here's How It Looks:
YES, Kaitlyn Bristowe is a "social media celebrity" with her verified check mark, but she sets a clear example here.
She shows how even though social media comments CAN be hurtful, her comments CAN be meaningful, encouraging, and supportive.
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She shows how when she is seemingly feeling emotionally exhausted, using social media in a healthy way can help her feel less alone, more connected, and allow for her feelings to be validated and respected by others.
Side note: The verified check mark or badge shows the authenticity of social media accounts and allows other users to know they are interacting with the real individual, brand, or company associated with the account.
How It May Look for the Adolescents You Are Working With:
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They may share quotes they relate to.
Re-posting others words may allow for the user to share their feelings without taking personal ownership.
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They may vent about their day or stressors online.
Sharing information about their trials and tribulations during the day allows for others to like, comment, and voice support.
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They may retweet or share others' relatable posts.
Re-posting another's post enables a user to feel less alone in their struggles and enables others to recognize a broader issue to address.
04/
They may post in social media groups.
Social media allows you to publicly post, post to your friends, or post in specific closed groups. Posting in groups allows for communication with those who share a common interest.
After working on coping by posting with adolescents, it would be a good practice to refer back to Intervention #1: Who Are You Online?, and have them consider the broader effects of their online posts on their reputation, in addition to their feelings of self after posting.
References
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Biri, K. (2018). Disclosing the self to others online: The experiences of socially anxious college-aged females. Manuscript submitted for publication.
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Lee, K.T., Noh, M.J., & Koo, D.M. (2013). Lonely people are no longer lonely on social networking sites: The mediating role of self-disclosure and social support. Cyberpsychology, Behavior, and Social Networking, 16(3), 413-418. doi: 10.1089/cyber.2012.0553
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Moreno, M.A., Jelenchick, L.A., Egan, K.G., Cox, E., Young, H., Gannon, K.E., & Becker, T. (2011). Feeling bad on facebook: Depression disclosures by college students on a social networking site. Depress Anxiety, 28, 6, 447-455. doi:10.1002/da.20805.
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Valkenburg, P.M., Sumter, S.R., & Peter, J. (2011). Gender differences in online and offline self-disclosure in pre-adolescence and adolescence. British Journal of Developmental Psychological, 29, 253-269. doi:10.1348/2044-835X.002001