Exploring the impact of social media short-form videos on adolescents' psychological and psychosocial well-being

Exploring the Impact of Social Media Short-Form Videos on Adolescents' Well-Being

Abstract

  • Research examines the dual impacts of social media short-form videos on adolescents' psychological and psychosocial well-being.

  • Common perception by parents and teachers of social media being detrimental to youth.

  • Rapid growth of social media use among adolescents, who utilize it to fulfill various needs and desires.

  • Positive impacts identified include:

    • Improved recognition levels

    • Enhanced social interaction skills

    • Stress relief

  • Adolescents' dependency on social media is less severe than assumed by many adults.

  • The study provides recommendations for optimizing social media use among adolescents while mitigating addiction.

Introduction

  • Increased discussions around social media's effects on adolescent well-being:

    • Issues include emotional regulation disorders, neuroticism, addiction, life dissatisfaction, recognition, and social interaction.

  • Short-form videos have gained popularity due to their creativity, entertainment, and quick consumption.

  • China: By March 2020, approximately 850 million online video users, with 773 million using short-form videos.

  • Adolescents and college students are significant users, highly influenced by this medium.

Research Objectives and Methodology

1. Research Objectives

  • Evaluate positive and negative influences on the psychosocial status of adolescents aged 15-17 in Beijing, China.

2. Methodology

  • Conducted interviews with four high school students (2 males, 2 females).

  • Interview structure based on previous literature, focusing on six themes:

    1. Emotional regulation disorder.

    2. Neuroticism.

    3. Addiction.

    4. Life dissatisfaction.

    5. Recognition level.

    6. Social interactions.

  • Thematic analysis performed post-interview.

Results

1. Demographic Characteristics

  • 50% female, 50% male participants, aged 15-17, all from urban areas.

2. Social Media Preferences

  • Most used platforms: WeChat and Bilibili.

  • WeChat is a multifunctional messaging app, fostering communication and announcements.

  • Bilibili serves as a popular video platform among youth, offering diverse content, including games and live streams.

3. Impact on Psychosocial Status
3.3.1 Emotion Regulation Disorder

  • Most respondents ignored negative comments, choosing not to retaliate.

  • Correlation noted between excessive social media time and emotional issues.

3.3.2 Neuroticism

  • Respondents report mild anxiety influenced by academic pressures, with few displaying significant neurotic traits.

3.3.3 Addiction

  • Perceptions of addiction varied, with three respondents denying addiction, spending limited time on social media.

  • Healthy relationship with social media, primarily for communication and information seeking.

3.3.4 Life Satisfaction

  • Respondents rated life satisfaction between 6-8 out of 10, with comparisons to online content causing varying levels of anxiety.

3.3.5 Recognition Level

  • Social media viewed as beneficial for broadening knowledge and providing useful information resources.

3.3.6 Social Interactions

  • Social media offers safe interaction spaces, especially for introverted individuals, but can lead to exclusion and negative feedback.

Discussion

  • The research reveals a complex picture of social media impacts, contradicting prevalent beliefs about solely negative effects.

  • Short-form videos can positively influence recognition and social skills.

  • Important for educators and parents to understand the balanced nature of social media's role in youth life and provide supportive frameworks.

Conclusion

  • Acknowledges the multifaceted impact of social media on adolescents' psychological and psychosocial status through interviews.

  • Highlights the benefits of recognition improvement and social interaction facilitation, alongside risks of life dissatisfaction and comparison.

  • Suggests strategies for better social media utilization:

    1. Structured and enriching daily activities for students.

    2. Parental guidance on emotional regulation and selective content engagement.

    3. Integration of social media in educational contexts.

    4. Need for content moderation by social platforms based on user age.

  • Future research could expand on regional differences and develop methodologies for further understanding social media's youth impact.