Research

 

Further Topic Research

How does social media affect an individual or individuals mentally? 

Social media is a tool that is used in everyday lives to communicate, watch and even sometimes to promote.     

The history of social media started in 1997. Since then, new social media apps have been invented and updated frequently every update that has been made either fixes any issues or renews the user interface to help appeal to their audience.

Social media has its advantages and disadvantages for some people social media is a way to interact and communicate and receive entertainment however for others it could lead to bad effects on the individual if used excessively, this could include: sleep, self-worth and self-esteem and comparison between the individual and others.

Social media can affect sleep negatively by affecting your mental and physical health through feeling the urge to use the electronic device rather than to sleep and rest.  Also use of electronic devices to check social media if used frequently can lead to mental health problems like sudden changes in your mood and depression.

Social media also affects an individual or individuals if they compare themselves with other people online which gets them thinking to be like them rather than appreciate themselves and accept their difference, another way it affects an individual or individuals is through viewing other peoples content whether its images or videos which presents the greatest moments of their life which some viewers may feel like that they can't be like them and don't have the abilities to do the same and can make them feel like they're missing out. 

Social media can impact an individual or individuals' mental health through they're self-worth or self-esteem by posting images or videos online to gain validation from people online to also receive likes as wells comments and reposts which make them think its the only way that people will appreciate them compared to these experiences in real life.  Also being too active on social media can lead to many mental health problems such as anxiety, poor body image and declining mental health, the persistent searching for people's validation gives a sense that the individual or individuals don't have self appreciation and self confidence.  

It can give a feeling of be unsure of what you believe in and what values you follow from people who react in certain ways to the post you have made to get you to think that you can't follow your own beliefs and values and you have to follow theirs which can lead to you thinking that you need to change your physical appearance to fit their narrative rather than stay how you are, also persistent posting could allow a lot more of negative comments rather than receiving uplifting messages which could link to getting cyberbullies which can lead the person in feeling depressed and thinking of being suicidal or having suicidal thoughts.

Screen use and health in young people

Device types and usage:

In 2019 an Ofcom survey was carried out and it discovered that 90% of children aged between 5-15 years old use the internet. The most preferable devices for use of internet include tablets which is used by 68% of children aged between 5-15 years old, mobile phones 55%, laptops 55%, games consoles 27%,  desktop computers 18% and televisions 18%.  Children and young people can also be seen using multiple of devices at once such as using mobile phones as well as gaming and this has been found to be very common in this survey, researchers also found out that 5-15 year olds use screens for an average of 12 hours per week.  A study that was initiated has shown that approximately 3000 children ages between 10-16 spent more than 5 hours online. Ofcom data of the 2019 survey indicates that 56% of children aged 13 had a social media account and children aged 15, 92% of which had a social media account.  It also saw that there's been an increase in adolescents using or having use of social media to support causes in 2018 it went from 12% to 18% in 2019.  In the study they investigated that 43% of parents found it challenging to maintain their children's screen time, which could depend on the family and how wealthy they are.

In the previous another survey was carried out in 2018 displayed that more than 2000, 8-17 year olds and of those 70% have stated that being online has helped them to understand the world a lot more and the events taking place around the world.

An Ofcom survey carried out three years prior to the survey in 2018 explains that in 2015 more than 1000 adolescents aged 13-17,  83% of which have stated that social media allows them to experience more connections and feel more closer to their friends when they are not around and 68% mentioned that social media and electronics has given them more social support in difficult and complicated times. It also states that in a 2018 survey made by Internet Matters a website dedicated to maintaining children's safety online has said that more than 2000 parents have main concerns for their children in terms of screen use and the physical health effects impacting their children.  The effects that use of or excessive use of social media is lack of physical activity in 11-13 year olds which has affected 39% of these children, as for 14-16 year olds it has affected their sleep due to extended time of screen use.

A study carried out has mentioned that 350000 young people aged 12-18 in the UK and US that they experienced lower moods and a lower wellbeing when using social media and electronic devices excessively.   

A study initiated in 2014 which has stated 3500 children aged 9-16 from a number of countries, investigated and found out that children who were in wealthier families were more likely to have control and more methods to maintain their children's screen time. 

Sue Palmer

"Toxic Childhood"

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZjvULWAXzFk&t=116s

Sue Palmer is very well known sociologist, who was a former Primary Headteacher in Scotland. She is well known for her "Toxic Children" theory, where she argues that social media and technology which benefits adults, does not allow or apply it for children. As she states in her book "one in six children in the developed world is diagnosed as having 'developmental or behavioural problems".  

( https://revisesociology.com/2017/03/04/toxic-childhood-sociology-news/ )

Teens and Social Media- What are the impacts?

According to the Mayo Clinic Website, they have conducted a survey in 2022, where they received 1300 responses from teenagers aged 13-17. Which they found that at least 35% of those of responses uses at least one of the five social media more than several times a day. (Tik Tok, Snapchat, Youtube, Instagram and Facebook). They argue that social media effects on the mental health depends on certain things. For example the psychological factors such as the equality level and any pre-exiting mental health conditions.

Healthy Social media

Social media allows teenagers to be able to create their indemnities and socialise with others. It also allows them to build a network, which can benefit their future. Social media platform helps teenagers to be able to connect with their cultures and find their 'voice'. There are health effects that can benefit teenagers such as teenagers who are more vulnerable to depression can use social media to stay connected with others, therefore helping their mental state.

Unhealthy Social Media

Although there are healthy social media, there's also unhealthy social media.  Some of the examples include: Distraction from School work, exercise and family activities. False news or information which can lead to a knock on effect to other issues such as discrimination. Teenagers are more likely to be exposed to online predators, who much exploit them or force them into doing something they don't want to do and many more. 

A study looked at data on more than 12000 teenagers in England between the ages of 13-16. They found that using social media for more than 3 hours a day, have an increase risk of mental issues and poor well-being. In some cases, viewing certain contents may increase some young people's mental health. For example, illegal acts, self-harm and harm done to others and encouragement of habits tied to eating disorders such as bulimia. 

This image is for the children and young people who started their eating disorder treatment.

Being exposed to discrimination, cyberbullying and hate can lead to an increase of anxiety or depression. According to the ONS report, one in five children between the ages of 10-15 had some experiences of cyberbullying within the 2022. 70% of the responding students reported that the bullying came from someone from their school. 57% of young people have experienced bullying when playing an online game.  

Primary Research

1500 word essay

 

Analysis of similar items

This is magazine article layout that I chose to include to help give me ideas about how to design my own article and give me many creative ways of how to structure my own magazine the ideas I could take that I like from this magazine that can help the main title of the magazine and how its placed, also the main topic of the magazine and the position as well as the colours that are used and how it blends in well with other colours, I also like the layout of the sub-topics that is covered in the magazine, they have also included the different elements included on the magazine and the references included as people might want more details on for example where to find this magazine and the date it was published.

The picture is first thing that grabs the audiences attention because it's spread across two pages.  There is an image which overlaps the other image which the Basketball player that the article is about. The title is the next thing that grabs the attention as it is big and bold.  The article is split into three columns which includes several short paragraphs. I like the layout as the content on the spread is appealing due to the colour scheme.

The image is the thing that stands out the most as it fills up the whole page of the spread.  The title is the next thing the title is in bold large letters. The quote underneath the title grabs the attention as it is larger that the text in the article.  The article is split into three columns and the text is quite small. This article is probably for working professionals etc. Another thing added to the article is a drop-cap which is found at the start of the article.  I like the layout of the magazine as it is simple and easy to read.