Effects of Social Media Use on Adolescent Connectivity and Emotions During Pandemic-Induced School Closures: A Qualitative Analysis.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: The recent and ongoing COVID-19 pandemic provides a unique opportunity to examine social media and technology use during a time in which technology served as adolescents' primary form of socialization. The literature is mixed regarding how increased screen time during this period affected adolescent mental health and well-being. The mechanisms by which screen time use affected adolescent psychosocial outcomes is also unknown. OBJECTIVE: To deepen our understanding of how social media and technology use, social connectivity, and emotional well-being intersected during pandemic-related school closures. METHODS: English-speaking adolescents ages 13-17 were recruited on Instagram for a brief screening survey; 39 participants were purposefully selected to complete a semi-structured interview regarding their social media/technology use during the pandemic. Interview summaries were abstracted from recordings and deductive codes were created for the primary question stems. These codes were subsequently reviewed for main themes. RESULTS: Main themes were 1) Adolescent social media and technology use during school closures usually allowed for more and easier social connectivity, but the amount and relative ease of connectivity differed according to purpose and type of use. 2) Emotions, particularly those of stress and happiness, were connected to whether adolescents actively or passive engaged with social media and technology. CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggest a nuanced relationship between social media and technology use and adolescent social support and emotional well-being, including during the pandemic. Specifically, how adolescents use and/or engage with online platforms greatly influences their ability to connect with others as well as feelings of stress and happiness. In the context of the ongoing pandemic and as technology in general remains at the core of the adolescent experience, future research should continue to examine how adolescents navigate and utilize online spaces, in beneficial and harmful ways. This will inform education and interventions that foster healthy social media and technology habits.