To accompany feature “Social media: What’s not to like?”

SCIENCE

Before Reading:

1.  What social media sites or apps do you use? Why do you like them?

2.  Using social media can be a fun way to stay in touch — but does it ever make you feel bad or left out instead?

During Reading:

1.  How many online friends does the average teen have, based on the data in this story?

2.  Are teens more or less likely than adults to take down unpopular Instagram posts?

3.  Why might social media contribute to low self-esteem and depression in unpopular teens?

4.  Why isn’t the same thing true for popular people?

5.  How can a temporary Snapchat post stick around forever?

6.  According to Alice Marwick, why might teens downplay online bullying by calling it “drama”?

7.  In a study by Sarah Coyne, what fraction of teens connected with their parents on social media?

8.  What positive traits did Coyne observe in teens who connected online with their parents?

9.  But why should we be cautious about interpreting those findings?  

10.  According to Mitchell Prinstein, what can happen when people focus too much on the popularity of their social-media posts?

After Reading: 

1.  What are some ways in which other people’s social media posts might be misleading or show you an idealized version of their lives?

2.  Based on what you learned in this article, name three ways can you keep your social-media experiences positive and enjoyable?

3.  Do the things you learned in this article make you more likely, less likely or equally likely to use social media in the future? Explain why.

4.  From what you learned, how do social-media and face-to-face encounters and conversations differ? How are they similar?