From Likes to Life Satisfaction: Positive Social Media Use and Positive Outcomes Across Adolescence

Most adolescents engage with social media in some capacity and the majority of research has focused on negative impacts of social media on adolescent development. However, adolescents use social media in ways that might contribute to positive youth development, as described by Lerner's (2012) Positive Youth Development framework. The current study examined the longitudinal associations between positive social media use and positive outcomes in adolescence (life satisfaction, self-compassion, prosocial behavior, grit, empathy, optimism, and hope).

Participants included 967 adolescents (49% male, 42% white) who completed online surveys at two-time points, approximately 1 year apart.

Data was analyzed using a cross-lagged structural equation model. Positive social media use was associated with all positive adolescent outcomes 1 year later, even when controlling for initial levels. Only early prosocial behavior was related to later positive social media use, suggesting that positive social media use may play a stronger role in shaping these behaviors than vice versa Time spent on social media was related to lower levels of positive youth outcomes over time.

Overall, these findings indicate that positive social media use may contribute to positive youth development. This study has implications for youth, educators, parents, policymakers, and those involved in the social media industry.