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Keywords

social media, adolescence, mental health, digital literacy, identity formation, academic performance

How to Cite

THE INFLUENCE OF SOCIAL MEDIA ON ADOLESCENT PSYCHOLOGICAL, COGNITIVE, AND SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT: A CONTEMPORARY ANALYSIS. (2026). SYNAPSES: INSIGHTS ACROSS THE DISCIPLINES, 3(2), 116-118. https://www.universalpublishings.com/index.php/siad/article/view/16834

Abstract

The rapid growth of digital communication technologies has changed adolescent life. Social media platforms are now central to communication, identity building, and information sharing. While these platforms offer educational and social opportunities, they also bring psychological and cognitive risks. This article examines the varied impact of social media on adolescents, focusing on mental health, identity development, academic performance, and social interaction. By referencing recent research findings and developmental theories, the study highlights the importance of digital literacy and balanced use. The results suggest that the effects of social media are neither strictly positive nor negative. Instead, they depend on how much, why, and in what context it is used.

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References

Festinger, L. (1954). A theory of social comparison processes

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Twenge, J. M. (2019). iGen: Why Today’s Super-Connected Kids Are Growing Up Less Rebellious, More Tolerant, Less Happy—and Completely Unprepared for Adulthood. Atria Books.

Valkenburg, P. M., & Peter, J. (2011). Online communication among adolescents: An integrated model of its attraction, opportunities, and risks. Journal of Adolescent Health, 48(2), 121–127.

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