Alpha generation s social media use sociocultural influences and emotional intelligence

Alpha Generation’s Social Media Use

Overview

  • Examines social media use among the Alpha generation (born entirely in the digital age).

  • Focus on sociocultural influences and emotional intelligence.

  • Highlights the gaps in current research primarily focused on adolescents, particularly regarding preadolescents.

Study Details

  • Participants: 721 preadolescents aged 10-15 (M = 12.1, SD = 0.87).

    • Boys: 45.7% (N = 341)

    • Girls: 52.7% (N = 380)

  • Hypotheses Tested:

    1. Increased social media use correlates with addiction.

    2. Social media promotes sociocultural appearance ideals.

    3. Increased social media use is inversely associated with emotional intelligence.

  • Key Findings:

    • Social media use predicted addiction (β = .47, p < .001)

    • Reinforced appearance ideals (β = .39, p < .001)

    • Inversely associated with emotional intelligence (β = −.22, p < .01)

Introduction

Importance of Preadolescence

  • Transition between childhood and adolescence linked with significant developmental changes.

  • Emotional development critical for handling emotions and social interactions.

  • Poor emotional management can lead to mental health issues (depression, low self-esteem).

Influence of Social Media

  • Social media platforms blend physical and virtual experiences.

  • Serve as mediators shaping self-perception through activities like photo sharing.

  • Increasingly significant for Generation Alpha, who grow up immersed in technology.

Sociocultural Influences

  • Social media serves as a primary influence on body image and emotional intelligence.

  • The Tripartite Influence Model suggests three main influences shape appearance ideals: media, parents, peers.

  • Exposure leads to internalization of unattainable ideals causing body dissatisfaction.

Alpha Generation and Social Media

Social Networking Sites

  • Platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, TikTok contribute to shaping digital identities.

  • Italian preadolescents engage frequently in online activities (games, messaging).

  • Generation Alpha defined by constant access to information influenced by parental sharing.

Gender Differences in Usage

  • Females show higher engagement with social interaction on platforms like Snapchat, while males prefer leisure-based content.

Emotional Intelligence and Social Media

Definition and Development

  • Emotional intelligence is the ability to be aware of and manage one’s emotions and relationships.

  • Trait Emotional Intelligence (TEI) encompasses emotional self-perceptions and skills.

  • Digital Emotional Intelligence integrates emotional intelligence with digital competence affecting interaction online.

Challenges for Preadolescents

  • Emotional development is critical at this age; social media's influence is significant.

  • Usage patterns involve complex emotional signals that are crucial for emotional management.

Methodology

Sample and Design

  • Two-wave panel survey in collaboration with seven schools, collecting data across two time points.

  • Retention rate: 75.1%.

Instruments Used

  • Sociodemographic Information: Age, gender, school year.

  • Social Media Usage: Questions on device ownership and social media engagement.

  • Trait Emotional Intelligence: Measured using TEIQue-CSF.

  • Sociocultural Standards: Assessed through SATAQ-4 R.

Results

Social Media Usage Trends

  • High and increasing usage of internet-connected devices and social media platforms.

  • Average number of platforms used shifted from 5.0 to 5.3 across time points.

Addiction Scores

  • A slight decrease in average social media addiction scores from T1 to T2.

  • Females showed greater social media dependence than males, especially at T2.

Emotional Intelligence Scores

  • TEI scores showed a slight decrease over time, indicating vulnerabilities in emotional intelligence among preadolescents.

Discussion

Correlation of Findings

  • Increased social media use correlates positively with addiction and internalization of beauty standards.

  • Inverse relationship between social media usage and emotional intelligence confirmed.

Implications for Policy and Practice

  • Need for proactive strategies against social media addiction in schools.

  • Incorporate comprehensive media education and emotional intelligence training.

Conclusions

  • Findings emphasize high social media use and its impacts on mental health.

  • Early interventions encourage healthier media consumption habits and address addiction risks among preadolescents.