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Making "Fast Friends" Online in Middle Childhood and Early Adolescence
Katherine L Swerbenski1,2, Kierin C Barnett1, Patricia G Devine1
1Department of Psychology, University of Wisconsin-Madison.
Social Development (Oxford, England)
|March 11, 2024
Summary
An online Fast Friends procedure effectively increased closeness and future contact interest between young friends. This digital intervention shows promise for supporting adolescent social development and peer relationship building.
Area of Science:
- Developmental Psychology
- Social Psychology
- Human-Computer Interaction
Background:
- Close peer relationships are vital for healthy child and adolescent development.
- Youth often face challenges in forming and maintaining friendships.
- Existing interventions may not fully leverage digital platforms for social skill development.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the efficacy of an online Fast Friends procedure in fostering closeness among youth.
- To determine if self-disclosure and collaboration via digital means can enhance peer bonds.
- To explore the potential of technology in supporting adolescent social connection.
Main Methods:
- A randomized controlled trial involving 131 dyads of 9- to 13-year-olds, matched for age and gender.
- Participants were assigned to either the Fast Friends condition (online self-disclosure and collaborative game) or a control condition.
- Closeness and interest in future contact were measured post-intervention.
Main Results:
- Dyads in the Fast Friends condition reported significantly greater feelings of closeness compared to the control group.
- Participants in the Fast Friends condition showed increased interest in future interactions with their partner.
- The online format successfully facilitated self-disclosure and collaboration.
Conclusions:
- An online Fast Friends procedure is an effective method for increasing peer closeness in young adolescents.
- Digital interventions can be valuable tools for promoting social development and friendship formation.
- The findings suggest potential for wider application of online social-enhancement tools for youth.
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