TikTok & Instagram’s Impact on Girls’ Mental Health
TikTok, Instagram May Affect Girls’ Psychological Well-being More Than Boys’, Study Finds
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MADRID (AP) — A new study suggests that TikTok and instagram may have a greater impact on the psychological well-being of female teenagers compared to their male counterparts.
The research, conducted by Pompeu Fabra University (UPF) and the Oberta de Catalunya (UOC) University, marks the first quantitative analysis of Spanish teenagers’ perceptions regarding the influence of these social networks on various facets of their social lives.
The study,recently published in the Journal of Dialogue,examined how young people perceive the impact of social media on aspects such as group belonging and self-expression. Mònika Jiménez (UPF) and Mireia Montaña (UOC) led the research.
Researchers suggest that girls might potentially be more affected due to their “more intensive use of the networks” and as they “feel more observed and pressured” regarding their image and physical appearance. The study also points to a greater need for external validation among young women.
Study Demographics and Methodology
The study surveyed a representative sample of 1,043 Spanish adolescents aged 12-18, with a near 50/50 gender split (50.5% girls, 49.5% boys). Of those surveyed, 70.7% use TikTok,and 63.8% use Instagram.
Participants rated the impact of social networks on nine aspects of their social lives on a scale of 1 to 5, from negative to positive.
the highest-rated aspects included collective organization capacity (3.52), group belonging (3.51), and the ability to express oneself (3.48).
Researchers found no significant gender differences across most dimensions,with the exception of psychological well-being.
Negative Perceptions: Well-being and Communication
Areas receiving lower scores from both genders were psychological well-being and communication with adults, both scoring 3.06. Girls rated psychological well-being at 2.99, compared to 3.13 for boys.
the study indicates that adolescents perceive a neutral impact of social networks on their lives, with positive effects generally counteracting the negative ones. Most dimensions scored above 2.5.
Participants acknowledged positive effects, such as providing connection, support, and spaces for debate.
Among Instagram users, collective organization and group belonging were the most valued dimensions, with a score of 3.55.
tiktok’s Algorithm and Gender Roles
The study also suggests that TikTok’s algorithm may reinforce customary gender roles. The ability to express oneself was among the highest-rated dimensions for TikTok users, scoring 3.54.
TikTok users valued how interactions facilitated understanding and acceptance of social norms and conventions (3.56). Though, the study cautions that this trend may hinder adolescents’ critical evaluation of established social traditions, particularly concerning gender roles.
Concerns About Gender Bias
Researchers expressed concern about the “gender bias” in tiktok content, particularly on the “For You” page, and its potential effects on adolescents.
Jiménez noted that ”the contents of fashion and beauty that the algorithm usually offers by default [to] girls, have a clear impact on their body image or self-esteem.”
She added that for boys, “the fact that the suggested contents are closely related to sports and competition games, with frequently enough aggressive behaviors, strengthen the idea of the dominant man linked to toxic masculinity, with few spaces to show their emotions.”
TikTok and InstagramS Impact on Teenagers: A Q&A
Q: What does the new study suggest about social media’s impact on teenagers?
A: A recent study indicates that social media platforms like TikTok and Instagram may have a greater effect on the psychological well-being of female teenagers compared to their male counterparts. The research, conducted by pompeu Fabra University (UPF) and the Oberta de Catalunya (UOC) University, represents the first quantitative analysis of Spanish teenagers’ perspectives on how these networks influence their social lives.
Q: What are the key findings of the study regarding the impact of social media?
A: The study,published in the Journal of Dialog,examined how young people perceive social media’s impact on aspects of their lives,such as group belonging and self-expression. Researchers suggest that girls might potentially be more affected due to their more intensive use of the networks and a greater need for external validation.
Q: What was the methodology of the study?
A: The study surveyed a representative sample of 1,043 Spanish adolescents aged 12-18,with a near 50/50 gender split (50.5% girls, 49.5% boys). Participants rated the impact of social networks on nine aspects of their social lives on a scale of 1 to 5, from negative to positive. Notably, 70.7% of those surveyed use TikTok, and 63.8% use Instagram.
Q: What aspects of social media did teenagers rate positively?
A: The highest-rated aspects included collective association capacity (3.52), group belonging (3.51), and the ability to express oneself (3.48).
Q: were there any gender differences in how teenagers perceived the impact of social media?
A: Researchers found no significant gender differences across most dimensions, with the exception of psychological well-being. Girls rated their psychological well-being at 2.99, while boys rated it at 3.13.
Q: What were the areas where both genders showed lower scores?
A: Both genders gave lower scores to psychological well-being and communication with adults, both scoring 3.06.
Q: How do adolescents generally perceive the overall impact of social networks on their lives?
A: The study indicates that adolescents perceive a neutral impact, with positive effects generally counteracting negative ones. Most dimensions scored above 2.5. Participants also acknowledged positive aspects, such as connection, support, and spaces for debate.
Q: What dimensions were notably valued by Instagram users?
A: Among Instagram users, collective organization and group belonging were the most valued dimensions, with a score of 3.55.
Q: What does the study suggest about TikTok’s algorithm?
A: The study suggests that TikTok’s algorithm may reinforce customary gender roles. The ability to express oneself was a high-rated dimension for TikTok users, scoring 3.54.
Q: How did TikTok users value interactions on the platform?
A: TikTok users valued how interactions facilitate understanding and acceptance of social norms and conventions (3.56).
Q: What is a potential concern associated with this trend?
A: The study cautions that this trend may hinder adolescents’ critical evaluation of established social traditions,particularly concerning gender roles.
Q: What concerns have researchers expressed about gender bias on TikTok?
A: Researchers are concerned about the “gender bias” in TikTok content, particularly on the “For You” page, and its potential effects on adolescents.
Q: How might the algorithm impact girls?
A: Mònika Jiménez noted that “the contents of fashion and beauty that the algorithm usually offers by default [to] girls,have a clear impact on their body image or self-esteem.”
Q: What’s happening with boys on TikTok?
A: She added that for boys, “the fact that the suggested contents are closely related to sports and competition games, with frequently enough aggressive behaviors, strengthen the idea of the dominant man linked to toxic masculinity, with few spaces to show their emotions.”