write a 3–5 page paper on the effects of social media on the developing mind.
Preparation
Topic Selection
Choose one of the following topics:
• Internet use among elementary age children (ages 5–11).
• Social media use among adolescents (ages 12–17).
• Social media use among emerging adults (ages 18–25).
Research
Using the Capella library, find two peer-reviewed journal articles on your topic. Some concepts to consider are:
• Information and higher-order processing.
o Memory.
o Google effect.
o Immediate gratification.
o Critical thinking.
• Reading, writing, and schooling.
o Critical analysis.
o Reading skills.
o Motor knowledge.
o Self-regulation.
o Metacognition.
• Emotions.
o Valence.
o Arousal.
o Nomophobia.
o Depression.
• Health.
o Rumination.
o Reappraisal.
o Stress,
o Exercise.
Instructions
Write a 3–5 page paper that includes:
• Introduction.
Emotional and Mental Health Impacts
The intersection of social media use and adolescent mental health is one of the most intensely studied areas in psychology. Research consistently demonstrates that the structure and function of these platforms, particularly their reliance on public performance and quantitative feedback (likes, followers), can profoundly affect emotional processing.
Depression and Social Comparison
A significant body of evidence links high levels of social media use to increased symptoms of depression and anxiety among adolescents (Primack et al., 2017). This relationship is often mediated by the concept of social comparison. Adolescents, who are naturally attuned to peer acceptance and status, frequently engage in upward social comparison—comparing their own ordinary lives to the highly curated, idealized, and often unrealistic content posted by peers and influencers.
Sample Answer
The Double-Edged Scroll: Effects of Social Media Use on the Adolescent Mind (Ages 12-17)
Introduction
The modern adolescent experience (ages 12–17) is inextricably linked to social media. Platforms like Instagram, TikTok, and Snapchat have become central arenas for social development, identity formation, and communication. While these technologies offer unparalleled opportunities for connection and learning, their rapid, pervasive integration into daily life presents significant, novel challenges to the developing adolescent brain. Adolescence is a critical period marked by intense synaptic pruning and maturation in the prefrontal cortex, the region responsible for executive functions like judgment, impulse control, and emotional regulation (Choudhury et al., 2018). It is precisely this developmental stage that makes adolescents particularly susceptible to the psychological and cognitive impacts of social media. This paper examines the complex effects of social media use on the adolescent mind, focusing on its influence on emotional health, specifically depression and rumination, and its impact on critical thinking and self-