Research Outline: Impact of Social Media on Adolescent Mental Health

Openly discuss the widespread usage of social media among teenagers. Also, it Analyses the increasing anxiety over its possible implications on mentally healthy people. Then, state the research question: Among all the other things, social media use has a genuine effect on the mental health of teenagers.

Literature Review

O’Reilly (2020) provides a balanced view of things, as it takes into account the positive (social interaction) and the negative (cyberbullying) aspects of social media usage and their influence on mental health. It emphasizes the weaknesses of restrictions and sheds new light on the need for further research.

Boer et al. (2021) explore the relationship between social media use intensity and mental health. The researchers employed a longitudinal research design. The study showed that if one has problematic social media use (addiction or addictive-like symptoms), it may result in poorer mental health symptoms.

Coyne et al. (2020) address the issue of the direct relationship between social network abuse and mental health conditions. Notably, there is no significant link between mental health problems with the number of hours people spend texting. Therefore, social media users should pay attention to the role of social media for users.

Naslund et al. (2020) provide an essential reviewer’s role in such cases to highlight the benefits of social media in terms of support for those with mental health issues. It also examines the adverse mental health outcomes coming from its misuse. Moreover, additional research into social media is essential in promoting a healthy state of mind.

Research Design and Methodology

While not dismissing the previous research, try to point out the weaknesses like lack of random assignment. Suggest a research design (for example, a longitudinal study with a collection of multiple data points) to probe the probable cause-and-effect relationships. Emphasize the methods for data collection (like surveys and time-use diaries) that will obtain social media use and mental health variables.

Analysis and Expected Outcomes

Explain how this complex web of information will be deciphered in order to see if social media relates to mental health in any way. In short, enumerate expected results like, for example, identifying a particular social media habit/platform that will be counted with increased risk for adolescent mental health problems.

Conclusion and Implications

Conclude the outline of the literature review and the research proposal, addressing the critical takeaways. Explore the findings of the research to help us figure out how social media use and teens’ emotional wellness may be associated with each other. Present in a nutshell the possible implications of the research outcomes, for instance, acting as guidelines for interventions to be developed for the promotion of healthy social media usage among adolescents.