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How Can Adolescents Benefit from the Use of Social Networks? The iGeneration on Instagram

Author

Listed:
  • Sabrina Cipolletta

    (Department of General Psychology, University of Padua, 35100 Padua, Italy)

  • Clelia Malighetti

    (Department of Psychology, Catholic University of the Sacred Heart, 20019 Milan, Italy)

  • Chiara Cenedese

    (Department of General Psychology, University of Padua, 35100 Padua, Italy)

  • Andrea Spoto

    (Department of General Psychology, University of Padua, 35100 Padua, Italy)

Abstract

In the last few years, Instagram has been a topic of much contention, as it has been shown to be associated with both risks and benefits for young users. This study explores the influence of the use of Instagram on adolescents’ constructions of self and interpersonal experience. Forty Italian adolescents aged between 11 and 16 years were interviewed and completed repertory grids. The results showed that the adolescents’ self-construction and distance from others were mostly influenced by receiving, or not receiving, positive feedback, rather than by using Instagram itself. Specifically, there was an increase in self-acceptance and social desirability after receiving a “like” and an increase in social isolation after receiving no “likes”. The regression model also showed a decrease in self-acceptance on Instagram in the case of female adolescents, and in participants who edited photos. These findings are useful for understanding the constant need for approval adolescents require today and could be used as a guiding tool for future studies and intervention policies. The present study offers an innovative methodology that refers to the relevant dimensions of adolescents’ self-construction rather than investigating the more general relationship between personality traits and social networks’ use.

Suggested Citation

  • Sabrina Cipolletta & Clelia Malighetti & Chiara Cenedese & Andrea Spoto, 2020. "How Can Adolescents Benefit from the Use of Social Networks? The iGeneration on Instagram," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(19), pages 1-15, September.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:17:y:2020:i:19:p:6952-:d:417864
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Jaffar Abbas & Jaffar Aman & Mohammad Nurunnabi & Shaher Bano, 2019. "The Impact of Social Media on Learning Behavior for Sustainable Education: Evidence of Students from Selected Universities in Pakistan," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 11(6), pages 1-23, March.
    2. Best, Paul & Manktelow, Roger & Taylor, Brian, 2014. "Online communication, social media and adolescent wellbeing: A systematic narrative review," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 41(C), pages 27-36.
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    Cited by:

    1. Elena Bozzola, 2021. "Media Use during Childhood and Adolescence," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(3), pages 1-2, January.

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