The influence of social media on adolescent self-concept

Fostered by a decrease in the digital divide, social media have become more significant in adolescents' worlds. At present, most forms of social media do not have barriers and are used by adolescents from all socioeconomic classes and different family dynamics. As such, today's adolescents typically are influenced more by social media than preceding generations. In this capacity, uncertainty exists regarding their role in the formation of adolescent self-concept. This clinical dissertation is a theoretical application and includes a scholarly review and critique of the literature and input from field consultants; this information was integrated into the creation of a PowerPoint presentation that was delivered to a group of practitioners to enhance their knowledge, skills, and awareness of social media and their influence on adolescent self-concept. The findings indicate that social media can be either helpful and harmful regarding the formation of adolescent self-concept; the extent thereof depends on the type of social media, knowing how to use it properly and safely, interactions and influence of other users, and offline influences (e.g., family). Mental health practitioners can make the formation of adolescent self-concept through social media less complicated by advocating and integrating the education of safe and effective social media practices into their conceptualization and treatment plans. They can also psychoeducate parents regarding social media use, ways to minimize or prevent its adverse effects, and how to enhance parent-child communication. This clinical dissertation will pave the way for future culturally-sensitive research in this area.