hosa 2025

Digital Dilemma Project

Started in 2017, focuses on teen digital experiences.

Common Sense Media

Partner organization for the Digital Dilemma Project.

3529 Worries

Number of concerns reported by teens in surveys.

Digital Parenting Strategies

Methods to protect children in digital environments.

Cortisol Study

Facebook study linking breaks to reduced stress levels.

Correlation vs. Causation

Important distinction in interpreting social media effects.

Gender-Linked Sensitivity

Increased risk of issues for girls with media use.

Instagram's Toxicity

Internal research indicating harm to adolescent girls' body image.

Screen Time Relationship

Small negative link between screen time and well-being.

Active vs. Passive Uses

Differentiates positive engagement from harmful browsing habits.

Differential Susceptibility

Concept that individuals react differently to screen time.

Orchids and Dandelions

Metaphor for sensitive vs. resilient adolescents.

Teen Depression Data

Public health data shows rising mental health issues.

Cyberbullying Effects

Negative impact of online harassment on mental health.

Positive Social Connections

Benefits of online friendships and coping mechanisms.

Longitudinal Research

Study method tracking changes over a decade.

Digital Snooping

Nonconsensual viewing of peers' social media accounts.

Alarmist Headlines

Media exaggerations about social media's negative impact.

Teenage Realities

Discrepancy between adult perceptions and teen experiences.

Screen Time Debate

Ongoing discussion about effects of screen usage.

Teen Vulnerabilities

Increased risks associated with digital habits.

Social Media Use Patterns

Trends in how teens engage with social platforms.

Developmental Lens

Focus on teen experiences and psychological changes.

Ecological Lens

Contextual factors influencing individual behavior and culture.

Digital Lens

Analyzes technology's impact on social interactions.

Reward Bias

Adolescents are more sensitive to potential rewards.

Impulse Control

Difficulty managing immediate reactions and desires.

Peer Dynamic

Influence of peers amplifying adolescent behavior.

Innate Desire to be Understood

Fundamental human need for recognition and empathy.

Identity Formation

Process of developing a unique self-concept in teens.

Digital Participation Gap

Disparity in engagement and digital literacy, not access.

Affordances of Digital Tech

Qualities that enhance user interaction and experience.

Persistence

Content remains accessible over time on digital platforms.

Searchability

Ability to easily find information online.

Scalability

Capacity to reach a large audience quickly.

Replicability

Ease of duplicating content across platforms.

Absence of Physical Cues

Lack of nonverbal signals leading to miscommunication.

Constant Connection

24/7 access to digital platforms and social media.

Quantifiability

Measurement of engagement through likes and follows.

Default Publicness

Design feature making content publicly accessible.

Filter Bubbles

Personalized content limiting exposure to diverse views.

Tech Addiction

Compulsive use of technology due to design features.

Variable Reward System

Unpredictable incentives that enhance engagement and addiction.

Technoference

Disruptions in relationships caused by technology use.

Sleep Disruption Factors

Ways smartphones interfere with sleep quality and duration.

Task Switching

Frequent shifting of attention between multiple tasks.

Comparison Quicksand

Negative self-perception from constant social media comparisons.

Body Image Issues

Concerns about physical appearance influenced by social media.

Parasocial relationship

Impression of intimacy without real interaction.

Egocentrism

Child's inability to see others' perspectives.

Cognitive capacities

Skills for accurate self-concept development.

Dark spiral

Negative cycle triggered by social media comparisons.

Mirror effect

Social media reflects insecurities and self-doubt.

Dark pockets

Harmful digital content affecting mental health.

Bright spots

Positive online content providing support and connection.

Internet gaming addiction

Compulsive gaming impacting daily life and relationships.

Publicness

Visibility of interactions on social media platforms.

Snap score

Indicator of engagement on Snapchat.

Dilemmas of availability

Challenges of being constantly reachable online.

Burden of communication

Pressure to respond quickly in digital conversations.

Snapstreaks

Continuous exchanges on Snapchat, often seen as obligation.

Performing closeness

Public displays of affection on social media.

Social reciprocity

Mutual exchanges of support and validation online.

TMI

Too much information shared on social media.

Friendship dilemmas

Challenges in maintaining relationships in digital age.

Birthday posts

Social media celebrations that invite comparison.

Social media spotlight

Increased visibility of friendships on digital platforms.

Impression management

The act of influencing others' perceptions.

Code switching

Changing behavior based on social context.

Alice Marwick

Researcher focused on social media and identity.

danah boyd

Scholar studying youth and digital culture.

Dunbar's number

Cognitive limit of 150 stable relationships.

Promiscuous friending

Forming numerous casual online connections.

Inner Circle

A select group of close friends.

Digital stratification

Organizing online audiences into distinct groups.

Private Story

Selective sharing of content with chosen friends.

Mental health issues

Increasingly prevalent among teens today.

YikYak

Anonymous posting app for local communities.

Geospecificity

Content targeted to a specific geographic area.

Anonymous posting

Sharing without revealing one's identity.

BlackAt accounts

Platforms for sharing racial experiences anonymously.

Online disinhibition

Increased openness in digital communication.

Benign disinhibition

Positive self-disclosure among friends online.

Toxic disinhibition

Encouragement of harmful behaviors online.

Adolescent egocentrism

Focus on self over others' feelings.

Cyberbullying

Bullying through digital platforms.

Victimization rates

28% of youth experience cyberbullying.

Cancellation

Publicly ostracizing someone for their actions.

Digital football match

Engaging in back-and-forth online arguments.

Mocking or funny

Ambiguity in online interactions and humor.

Aesthetics

Visual presentation impacting social interactions.

Ambiguous interactions

Interactions with unclear meanings or intentions.

Microaggressions

Subtle, often unintentional, discriminatory remarks.

Subtle(r) Jabs

Indirect insults or criticisms in conversation.

One upping

Competing to outdo someone else's experience.

Social stenography

Using coded language to convey hidden meanings.

Weaponizing access

Using information access to manipulate or harm.

Private Stories

Content shared with select audiences on social media.

Context Shapes Consequences

Situational context influences the impact of actions.

Dropping addresses

Sharing locations that threaten physical confrontation.