The Effect of Social Media on the Behavior of Teenagers - Research Proposal Example

The effect of social media on the behavior of teenagers Name: Course: Institution: Date: The effect of social media on the behavior of teenagers Introduction Technological innovations such as smartphones and the proliferation of the internet has resulted in an explosion of the use of technology in enhancing communication especially among teenagers in differences societies. As early as elementary school, children are owners of smartphones through which they can engage in constant and instant interaction with their peers and friends across the globe (Livingstone & Haddon 2014). With ready access to the internet through smartphones, social media has grown into a phenomenon of unprecedented proportion that expands the concept of social network. Socially interactive technologies that comprise social media include sites such as Facebook, Twitter, Skype, Snapchat, and Instagram among others (Livingstone & Haddon 2014). These platforms have become instrumental in redefining communication and interaction processes among teenagers in the society. This is because they offer inexpensive, fast paced and instant communication platforms within one’s peer network in ways that allow for synchronized communication among friends at once. As a virtual communication platform, social media allows for the development of interpersonal communication skills; improve on their knowledge base and connectivity. However, it is also a contributor to detrimental behavioral attributes exhibited among teenagers in the contemporary society (Khan 2014). Aim The aim of this research will be to assess the impact of social media on the behavior of teenagers. This will be realized by addressing the following research questions How do teenagers use social media in their daily lives? Do teenagers prefer social media as a means of communication as opposed to traditional means of communication? What is the impact of social media on behavior change among teenagers? What are the risks and benefits associated with eth use of social media among teenagers? Literature review The use of the internet through social media as a means of communication has made it easy to pass information to different audiences and target groups in real time. Easy accessibility to smartphones and the availability of the internet have resulted in the growth of teenagers as a generation that has the ability of manipulating varieties of social networking sites to realize their objective of communication (Livingstone and Drotner 2012). This means that through social media teenagers acquire high level of digital literacy, which is in agreement with the expectation of the contemporary digital world (Croteau & Hoynes 2012). According to Livingstone and Haddon (2014), growing up in a digital environment necessitated by internet technology has resulted in the development of teenagers with the ability to socialize in a hybrid virtual space through which they learn innovative ways of interaction hence resulting in the creation of multicultural values. Social media from perspective influences teenager behavior to the extent that it fosters the development of attributes of personal growth such emotional and intellectual openness, independence, freedom of expression, immediacy, authentication, and trust. According to Livingstone and Drotner (2012), part of the challenges attributed to the use of social media among teenagers is that it withdraws them from their daily life activities. This explains the gap existing between teenagers and their parents. Parents are considered as the primary socialization agents of children whose responsbility is to ensure that children in their daily activities are groomed in accordance with the existing societal norms. In the view of Khan (2014), in order to mold the behavior of their children parents are expected to use their internet expertise in sensitizing children of the impending risks and benefits f using social media. Furthermore, through a set of domestic regulations, it becomes possible for parents to assess the activities of their children on social media with the objective of ensuring that act in accordance with the existing etiquette. According to Berson and Berson (2012), the effect of social media on behavior of teenagers can be understood from a development perspective. This is because the use of social media demands high-level cognitive capacity necessary in navigating through these online communication platforms. Social media therefore encourages cognitive development and the ability to make objective decisions. This according to Hew and Cheung (2012) explains why some of the risky behavior associated with the use of social media should be categorized as online challenging behavior. This is because they contribute to enhanced capacities and improved levels of creativity in understanding different situations while at the same time enhancing communication and interpersonal skills among teenagers. Theoretical framework Technological determinism theory can be used in explaining the impact of social media on the behavior of teenagers. According to theory, media technology such as social media haste ability of shaping the thoughts, feelings, and actions of individuals in the society. This means that media technology can shape how a society operates as it moves from one technological age to another (Lin & Atkin 2007). This theory explains that people in the society can learn, think, and feel the way they do because of the influence they get from the messages and information received through the current technology that is dominant in the society. Technologies such as the radio required propel to listen hence improved on the development of the sense of hearing while television engaged both the visual and earing sense. Individuals often transfer these developed senses into their everyday life and use them for execution of different activities. Social media like of the technologies also required users to engage the touch, hearing, visual and cognitive senses in the interpretation, understanding and responding to messages sent through this platform (Lin & Atkin 2007). The ability of technology to influence human behavior can be used to imply that human beings do not have free will because the prevailing technological innovations require them to adapt to the current communication platform such as social media in sending and receiving messages (Lin & Atkin 2007). Technological determinism theory can be used in understanding the impact of social media on teenage behavior because it explains how different systems of technology facilitate cultural and behavioral changes in the society. Furthermore, the theory also predicts that the society often changes and adapts to any new system of technology because of the realization that the technology, such as social media, is an important aspect in societal development (Chambers 2013). Behavior like other elements in the society is subject to change and improvement depending on the prevailing technological systems. Teenagers in the society will develop behavioral attributes that are in line with the nature of influence that they derive from their interactions in social media hence the existence of a case effect analysis between the introduction of new technology and behavioral changes in the society (Lin & Atkin 2007). Research methodology The study will be based on a mixed research method paradigm, which will be used in the collection and analysis. Mixed research method is a research approach in which the researcher combines qualitative and quantitative research approaches, techniques, concepts, and language into a single study with the aim of legitimizing the use of multiple approaches in answering research questions (Creswell & Plano 2011). The study will use the concurrent triangulation research design. This design will be characterized by the collection of both qualitative and quantitative data to confirm, cross validate, and corroborate findings within the study (Creswell & Plano, 2011). The target population for this study will be all teenage students in Alabama. The study will use random sampling in reaching the target population. Through the mixed method research design, the study will employ qualitative and quantitative approaches with the aim of collecting 30-50 surveys and 10-15 interviews. Data collection The study will use a survey, which will include specified directions on the techniques of its completion. The study will also use interviews in the collection of data during the formal interview process among the sampled population. The process of determining reliability and validity will be through the services of a supervisor and an advisor who will assess the interview questions and gauge them on their comprehensive nature and the ease of understanding. Data analysis The study will use descriptive statistics in the generation of a tables and charts that includes mean scores, frequency, and percentage of participant response and scores of standard deviations. The qualitative data will be analyzed through content analysis in the interpretation of qualitative data. The process will be characterized by the playing back of all recorded interviews, numbering and organizing them into typed transcripts. This will be followed by the identification of the main themes, which will be codified, into categories, subcategories, frequencies, and ranks (Creswell & Plano 2011). Results/findings Upon integration of data, the study will use graphs, tables, and charts in representing the common themes and features identified during the process of data analysis. These figures facilitate the process of developing recommendations. Expected conclusion Social media plays a critical role in the development of positive and negative behavior among teenagers. This is because this platform exposes the teenagers to a virtual world that is populated by individual drawn from diverse cultural and geographical setting. The realization of the probability of negative behavior emanating from social media means that it is the responsbility of parents and law enforcing agencies to engage teenagers in online etiquette sensitization as a technique of enhancing responsible use of social networks. Furthermore, through these sensitization programs it will be easier for the teenagers to understand the social expectations in the use of social media and embrace this platform as a means of enhancing their connectivity and improving on their personal and interpersonal communication skills. References Berson, I. R., & Berson, M. J 2012, Challenging Online Behaviors of Youth: Findings from a Comparative Analysis of Young Peoplein the United States and New Zealand Chambers, D 2013, Social media and personal relationships: Online intimacies and networked friendship. Basingstoke: Palgrave Macmillan. Chayko, M 2008, Portable communities: The social dynamics of online and mobile connectedness. Albany: SUNY Press. Creswell, J. W., & Plano, C. V. L 2011, Designing and conducting mixed methods research. Los Angeles: SAGE Publications. Croteau, D., & Hoynes, W 2012, Media/society. Thousand Oaks, Calif: Pine Forge. Hew, K. F., & Cheung, W. S 2012, Student participation in online discussions: Challenges, solutions, and future research. New York: Springer Khan R., Kellner D 2014, New media and Internet Activism: From the battle of Seattle to Blogging. Journal of Media and Society, 6(1), 87-95. Lin, C. A., & Atkin, DJ 2007, Communication technology and social change: Theory and implications. Mahwah, N.J: Lawrence Erlbaum Associates. Livingstone, S. M., & Drotner, K 2012,. International handbook of children, media and culture. London: SAGE. Livingstone, S. M., & Haddon, L 2014,. Kids online: Opportunities and risks for children. Bristol, U.K: Policy Press. Read More