Handbook of Adolescent Digital Media Use and Mental Health

Digital media, including social media, has fundamentally changed how the human species communicates with, relates to, and influences one another. Adolescents use digital media extensively. Researchers, scholars, teachers, parents, and teens themselves have many questions about the effects of digital media on young people's psychological development. This handbook offers a comprehensive synthesis of scientific studies that explain what we know so far about digital media and its effects on youth mental health. With chapters from internationally renowned experts in the fields of psychology, psychiatry, media, and communications, the book offers a broad overview of the positive and negative implications of youths' engagement with digital media for brain development, relationships, identity exploration, daily behaviors, and psychological symptoms. Chapters include a discussion of the current state of knowledge, directions for future research, and practical suggestions for parents, educators, and teens themselves. This title is also available as Open Access on Cambridge Core. Cover Half-title Title page Copyright information Dedication Contents List of Figures List of Tables About the Editors List of Contributors Acknowledgments Introduction Digital Media: Defining an Evolving Concept Theoretical Foundations: A Developmental Psychopathology Perspective Research in the Digital Age References Part I Theoretical and Methodological Foundations in Digital Media Research and Adolescent Mental Health 1 Methodological and Conceptual Issues in Digital Media Research Overview of Definitions and Terminology Overview of Adolescents' Digital Media Use History of the Study of Adolescents' Social Media Use The First Phase: Research on Internet Use and Early Online Communication Contexts The Second and Third Phase: Research on Digital Communication Tools from Social Networking Sites to Social Media Apps Methodological Challenges in Adolescent Digital Media Research Fluid Digital Media Landscape Measuring Digital Media Use Finding Equivalent Comparison Groups Conceptual Considerations for Adolescent Digital Media Research Consider Digital Media as a Developmental Context Reimagine Digital Media Usage Consider a Variety of Mechanisms and User Variables as Mediators and Moderators Conclusions Notes References 2 Theoretical Foundations of Social Media Uses and Effects Media Effects Theories The Selectivity Paradigm The Transactionality Paradigm Dispositional Factors Developmental Factors Social Context Factors The Conditionality Paradigm Dispositional Susceptibility Developmental Susceptibility Social-Context Susceptibility Social Media as a Social Context in Its Own Right Computer-Mediated Communication Theories A Transactional Affordance Theory of Social Media Uses Social Media Users Shape Their Own Effects Social Media as a Micro- and Mesosystem It Is the Subjective Experience That Counts Asynchronicity Cue Manageability Scalability Conclusions and Avenues for Future Research References Part II Digital Media in the Adolescent Developmental Context 3 Digital Media and the Dual Aspect of Adolescent Identity Development: The Effects of Digital Media Use on Adolescents' Commitments and Self-Stories Adolescent Identity Development on Social Media A Model of Adolescent Identity Development Chapter Overview The Subjective Aspect of Identity Development: Changes in Commitments and Values The Formation of Self-Evaluated Commitments in Adolescence Identity Exploration and Introspection Social Media and the Adolescent Development of Commitments and Values A Playground for Identity Exploration Potent Social Norms and Values Inescapable Past Selves A Tool for Distraction or Introspection? Emphasis on Appearance The Objective Aspect of Identity Development: Changes in a Narrative Identity The Construction of a Coherent Life Story in Adolescence Dialogue and the Function of Narrative Partners Social Media and the Adolescent Development of a Narrative Identity Dialogue with Diverse Groups of People Censorship Narrative Elaboration on Social Media Attention and Validation on Social Media Future Research Directions Conclusion Notes References 4 Peer Relationship Processes in the Context of Digital Media Theoretical Considerations Transformed Peer Constructs in Digital Communication Peer Influence in Digital Realms Social Connectedness and Isolation via Social Media Popularity and Social Status Opportunities and Challenges for Studying Peer Relationships in Digital Communication Future Directions Conclusion References 5 Digital Media and the Developing Brain Digital Media and the Brain's Control and Attention Networks Digital Media and the Brain's Reward Circuitry Digital Media and the Brain's Social Processing Systems Digital Media Use in the Developing Brain Studies in Early Life and Childhood Studies in Adolescents Age Group Comparisons and Longitudinal Studies of Youth Conclusions: What We Know Now and Where We May Be Headed Notes References 6 Adolescents' Digital Media Interactions within the Context of Sexuality Development Adolescent Sexuality Development Digital Media and Adolescents' Sexuality The Affordances of Sexually Oriented Digital Media Motivations for Adolescents' Digital Media Uses within the Context of Sexuality Sexual Exploration Relationship Initiation and Maintenance Pressure Sexual Coercion Theoretical Frameworks for Effects of Sexually Oriented Digital Media Use Digital Media and Its Implications for Adolescents' Sexuality Sexual Self-Development Outcomes Sexual Self-Concept Sexual Agency Sexual Certainty Sexual Satisfaction Attitudinal Outcomes Sexually Permissive Attitudes Gender Stereotypical Beliefs Sexual Objectification Relationship Quality Indicators Commitment Sexual Attraction Behavioral Outcomes Sexual Behavior Risky Sexual Behavior Sexually Aggressive Behavior Challenges and Future Directions References 7 Culture and Digital Media in Adolescent Development Cultural Values and Digital Media Use around the World Africa Asia Latin America/Caribbean Middle East Summary Structures of Community: The Nature of Social Ties in Digital Societies The Mobility Narrative Alternatives to a Mobility Narrative Summary The Culturally and Digitally Mediated Self Is Social Media an Identity Playground? Is the Selfie Narcissistic? Summary Challenges and Future Directions in the Study of Culture and Digital Media Cultural Challenges Future Directions References 8 Marginalized and Understudied Populations Using Digital Media Role of Digital Media in Development of Marginalized Racial-Ethnic Identities Risk for Racial-Ethnic Minority Youth Resilience for Racial-Ethnic Minority Youth Role of Digital Media in Development of Sexual and Gender Minority Identities Risk for Sexual/Gender Minority Youth Resilience for Sexual/Gender Minority Youth Role of Digital Media in the Development of Other Marginalized Youth Identities Risk of Other Marginalized Youth Resilience of Other Marginalized Youth Challenges and Future Directions Moving Beyond Differential Access Hard to Reach and Hidden Subpopulations Social Media Site Affordances/Hindrances Notes References Part III Digital Media and Adolescent Mental Disorders 9 Depression and Anxiety in the Context of Digital Media Theories of Depression and Anxiety State of the Science: Social Media, Depression, and Anxiety Challenges in Studying Depression and Social Media Key Hypotheses on the Relationship between Social Media, Depression, and Anxiety Where Are We Now? Potentially Problematic Digital Media Behaviors for Depression and Anxiety Risk 1: Adverse Online Experiences Cyberbullying News Media Risk 2: Highly Visual Social Media Fear of Missing Out Sleep Gender Potentially Beneficial Digital Media Behaviors for Depression and Anxiety Benefits of Social Media for the Typical Adolescent Benefits of Social Media for Adolescents with Depression and Anxiety Benefits of Social Media for Marginalized Adolescents Future Research Directions Clinical and Intervention Resources References 10 The Role of Digital Media in Adolescents' Body Image and Disordered Eating The Adolescent Developmental Period Relevant Theoretical Frameworks Objectification Theory Social Comparison Theory Tripartite Influence Model The Transformation Framework Social Media Behaviors Selfies Photo Editing Exposure to Others' Photos Peer Approval: ''Likes'' and Comments Subjective Social Media Experiences Investment in Appearance Investment in Peer Feedback Appearance-Related Social Media Consciousness Social Media Devoted to Body Image Concerns Weight Loss and Fitness Social Media Content Social Media Content Encouraging Eating Disorders Body Positivity Social Media Content Future Directions, Implications, and Conclusions Conclusion References 11 Digital Media in Adolescent Health Risk and Externalizing Behaviors State of the Evidence on the Role of Digital Media Use in Externalizing Behaviors Problem Behavior and Delinquency Quantity of Digital Media Use and Problem Behavior Overlap between Online and Offline Delinquency Online Depictions of Offline Delinquency Aggression, Bullying, and Violence Quantity of Digital Media Use and Online and Offline Aggression Overlap between Online and Offline Aggression Exposure to Online Violent Content and Offline Aggression Sexual Risk Taking Quantity of Digital Media Use and Sexual Risk Taking Exposure to Online Sexual Content and Offline Sexual Risk Taking Sexting, Cybersex and Offline Sexual Risk Substance Misuse Quantity of Digital Media Use and Substance Use Alcohol- and Drug-Related Posting and Substance Use Behaviors Exposure to Others' Alcohol- and Drug-Related Posts and Substance Use Behavior Mechanisms Shared Vulnerabilities Peer Selection Peer Socialization Deviancy Training Social Norms Status Unique Online Influences? Identity Digital Media as a Tool in Reducing Externalizing and Health Risk Behavior Health Information Delivery of Prevention Messaging Online Support Conclusions and Future Directions References 12 Problematic Digital Media Use and Addiction Problematic vs. Normative Digital Media Use Internet Addiction, Social Media Addiction, and Other Problematic Digital Media Use Assessing, Preventing, and Treating Problematic Digital Media Use Assessing Problematic Digital Media Use Preventing Problematic Social Media Use Treating Problematic Digital Media Use Prevention Programs Treating Problematic Digital Media Use Clinical Implications Limitations and Future Research Directions Measures and Consistency of Terminology Research Design Clinical Trials Sample Demographics and Diversity References 13 The Effects of Digital Media and Media Multitasking on Attention Problems and Sleep Digital Media and Attention Problems: What Do We Know? Media Multitasking and Attention Social Media Use and Attention How Do Social Media and Media Multitasking Affect Attention? Are There Any Positive Effects of Digital Media on Attention? Future Research Directions for the Effects of Digital Media on Attention Digital Media Use and Sleep: What Do We Know? Why and How Do Digital Media Affect Sleep? Future Research Directions for Digital Media and Sleep Causality Individual Responses and Potential Facilitating Effects Improved Measurement Overall Conclusion References 14 Digital Media, Suicide, and Self-Injury Chapter Aims Background Adolescence and SITB The Role of Social Media and SITB Brief Overview of Methods Used to Study the Relationship Between SITB and Social Media Risks of Social Media for Self-Injury and Suicide Exposure to Suicide and Self-Injury Content The Downside of Social Connection on Social Media: Normalization and Narrative Reinforcement Contagion: Spread and Scale of Social Media Messages Contagion and Social Media ''Challenges'' Cyberbullying Heavy Social Media Use Benefits of Social Media for Reducing Self-Injury and Suicide Social Support and Connectedness Self-Knowledge and Expression Exchange of Resources and Information Key Mechanisms: Moderators and Mediators of Effects on SITB Mental Health History Affect and Intentions Interactional Factors Social Comparison Processes Opportunities and Challenges Opportunities: Amplifying the Beneficial Potential of Social Media Identification/Detection Intervention Prevention Awareness and Stigma Reduction Challenges: Minimizing the Negative Potential of Social Media Creating and Maintaining a Safe Environment Methodological Innovation Privacy and Ethics Conclusion References Part IV Intervention and Prevention in the Digital Age 15 School-Based Initiatives Promoting Digital Citizenship and Healthy Digital Media Use Digital Citizenship and Related Curricula for School-Based Approaches A Closer Look at School-Based Lessons to Promote Healthy Digital Habits Critical Awareness of Design Features and Psychological Principles Self-Reflection about Personal Digital Media Use Behavioral Change for Healthy Digital Habits Digital Citizenship Education: State of the Field Other School-Based Approaches for Supporting Healthy Digital Media Use Conclusion References 16 Digital Media Interventions for Adolescent Mental Health Barriers to Existing Mental Health Services Potential Benefits of Digital Mental Health Interventions for Adolescents Modes of Delivery for Digital Health Interventions Videoconferencing Online/Web-Based Interventions Text Messaging Smartphone Apps Game-Based Interventions Virtual and Augmented Realities Social Media Emerging Digital Tools Challenges and Future Directions to Digital Mental Health Research and Treatment Effectiveness of DMHIs: For Whom and in What Contexts? Gap between Research and Commercial Technology Privacy and Security Youth-Centered DMHIs Scalability of DMHIs Culturally Sensitive and Equitable DMHIs Double-Edged Sword of Digital Media Conclusion References Index "The experience of contemporary adolescents is one that differs profoundly from that of earlier generations. Research on adolescence has also endured substantial change, and the concept of change is central to the topics addressed in this handbook. Change, for example, is key to the very definition of adolescence as a developmental time period marked by rapid physical, social, and psychological transformation. Accumulating evidence in developmental neuroscience over the past decades reveals a complexity of change not previously understood. Mental health is also an evolving concept - both in definition and in practice - with our understanding of what constitutes "good" mental health subject to fluctuating societal norms and stigmas, emerging diagnostic categories and dimensions, and increasing prevalence rates. Yet perhaps most closely tied to the concept of change is digital media - inextricably linked with evolution, adaptation, transformation. To understand digital media is to recognize and wrestle with a constantly evolving phenomenon - an entity that changes within a world that changes around it, both as a cause and a consequence of it"-- Provided by publisher