Impact of Social Media on Adolescent Interpersonal Development (Research Paper Sample)

Impact of Social Media on Adolescent Interpersonal Development
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Impact of Social Media on Adolescent Interpersonal Development
The need for peer group affiliations and friendship along with person-to-person communication is heightened during the stage adolescence (Spear, 2010). The ever-changing dynamics of communication brought about by social media has had a profound impact on the interpersonal development within the adolescent population (Hopkins, 2014). Social media is more like a mediator between virtual and real communication, thus directly leading to the individual’s interpersonal development.
According to recent research the presence of lower negativity and higher positivity in peer interaction during early adolescence predicts a large number of allies on the adolescent’s social networks (Horowitz, 2014). Consequently, keeping them logged into their social networks to chat with their ever-increasing number of friends they have online. This impacts in one way or the other, their interpersonal relationships and development on both an online and offline platform (Konijn et al. 2008).
The long hours spent logged into the social media sites is explained by the importance adolescents place on peer-based connectedness. The interaction with others enriches their sense of belonging and aids them in understanding their self and others (Biller, 1977). Such incidences provide sufficient evidence on the impact of social media on the interpersonal development of the adolescent population.
Across the globe, the lives of adolescents have become so busy and with an array of activities thus limiting their interaction time with family and friends (Conger, 1973). With the take up of social media technologies, they can continue sustaining and improving their relationships. Social media has helped the adolescents to be more connected and to various social groups and maintain relations while expanding their network of allies (Ling et al. 2011). The constant connection to social groups helps the adolescents define their social identity (belonging to peer groups) and self-identity (maintaining individual groups). In the long run, this enhances their interpersonal development.
References
Horowitz, M., & Bollinger, D. M. (2014). Cyberbullying in Social Media...