Social Media and Adolescent Wellbeing: Rethinking Psychological Impact and Digital Strategies

Annaliese Yan

2025

Abstract

The ubiquity of social media in the lives of adolescents has initiated a fundamental shift in how self-perception and psychological wellbeing are constructed and experienced. This paper explores social media as a potent external influence on adolescent mental health, interrogating its capacity to shape self-identity, modulate emotional states, and reinforce behavioral norms. Drawing on psychological frameworks such as Social Comparison Theory, Objectification Theory, and Self-Determination Theory, the research unpacks the nuanced interplay between digital environments and adolescent developmental processes. A synthesis of empirical research and psychological theory is used to reframe social media not merely as a risk factor, but as a complex psychosocial force requiring contextualized understanding and critical engagement. Recommendations for healthier usage strategies and policy considerations are discussed. Ultimately, the paper contributes to a more balanced, developmentally informed discourse on digital youth culture and psychological resilience.

Paper Citation

in Harvard Style

Yan A. (2025). Social Media and Adolescent Wellbeing: Rethinking Psychological Impact and Digital Strategies. In Proceedings of the 2nd International Conference on Public Relations and Media Communication - Volume 1: PRMC; ISBN 978-989-758-778-8, SciTePress, pages 537-544. DOI: 10.5220/0013995700004916

in Bibtex Style

@conference{prmc25,
author={Annaliese Yan},
title={Social Media and Adolescent Wellbeing: Rethinking Psychological Impact and Digital Strategies},
booktitle={Proceedings of the 2nd International Conference on Public Relations and Media Communication - Volume 1: PRMC},
year={2025},
pages={537-544},
publisher={SciTePress},
organization={INSTICC},
doi={10.5220/0013995700004916},
isbn={978-989-758-778-8},
}

in EndNote Style

TY - CONF

JO - Proceedings of the 2nd International Conference on Public Relations and Media Communication - Volume 1: PRMC
TI - Social Media and Adolescent Wellbeing: Rethinking Psychological Impact and Digital Strategies
SN - 978-989-758-778-8
AU - Yan A.
PY - 2025
SP - 537
EP - 544
DO - 10.5220/0013995700004916
PB - SciTePress