Adolescence and Social Networking sites

For those of use working with adolescents there can be much anxiety about how their use of social media impacts on their lives. We may be particularly worried for teenagers who are struggling with peer pressure and seem addicted to their phones and accessing the internet. This article, 'Growing Up Wired: Social Networking sites and Adolescent Psychosocial Development' by Lauren A. Spies Shapiro and Gayla Margolin, considers some of the concerns while focusing on the relationship between social networking sites and development, interaction with peers and the formation of identity. It provides some thought provoking insights and while we need to be monitoring and supporting teens in appropriate use of these sites their use may not be all negative. If you have any further insights or questions please speak with your link social worker at your regular meetings.

To read the article, please Click Here