Abstract:

Teens around the world spend substantial amounts of time online and on social media apps [1,2]. While there are benefits, there are also dangers. Social media features can fuel hate and aggression [3,4]. Nearly half (46%) of American youth surveyed, for example, have experienced cyberbullying such as name calling, spreading rumors, receiving explicit messages or physical threats [5]. There are growing concerns that time spent and/or harmful content consumed may relate to increased anxiety and other mental health challenges [e.g., 6,7]. Yet, more research is needed to explore these patterns and how culture and context may play a role [8].

This poster examines survey results from over 13,000 grade 5-12 students in more than 60 schools in the United States (approximately ages 12-18 years of age) gathered during school presentations from January – November 2023. The survey explores youth reports of social media use, cyberbullying and hate speech encounters. Ongoing qualitative sessions ask youth to help interpret survey results. Data are part of an interdisciplinary collaboration between university researchers and policy advocates based in California, USA. Analyses included descriptive statistics and applying statistical models.

Nearly all students (95%) reported spending >= an hour on social media per day; 20% spent >= nine hours. Eighty-one percent reported seeing hate speech in the last month via social media, with majorities viewing hate speech related to race/ethnicity (71%), gender (72%), and/or religious beliefs (62%). Nearly half (47%) have been cyberbullied. Preliminary statistical analyses based on results from one school district (3,365 students in grades 5-8 and 19 schools) reveal positive significant associations between seeing hate speech, being cyberbullied and average daily time spent on social media. In other words, the probability of being exposed to hate speech and cyberbullying increased with time spent daily on social media. Focus group conversations include perceptions that such content causes harm but also youth resilience, “I’m not gonna let them win…”. Our hope is that poster discussion will focus on potential studies and interventions to address these challenges.

References:
[1] OfCom UK. Children and parents: Media use and attitudes report. London: Office of Communications London. 2023, March 29.
[2] Vogels EA, Gelles-Watnick R, Massarat N. Teens, social media and technology 2022
[3] López CA, López RM. 4.8 hate speech, cyberbullying and online anonymity. Stavros Assimakopoulos Fabienne H. Baider Sharon Millar. 2017;80
[4] Walther JB. Social media and online hate. Current Opinion in Psychology. 2022 Jun 1;45:101298.
[5] Vogels EA. Teens and cyberbullying 2022.
[6] Wachs S, Gámez-Guadix M, Wright MF. Online hate speech victimization and depressive symptoms among adolescents: The protective role of resilience. Cyberpsychology, Behavior, and Social Networking. 2022 Jul 1;25(7):416-23.
[7] Riehm KE, Feder KA, Tormohlen KN, Crum RM, Young AS, Green KM, Pacek LR, La Flair LN, Mojtabai R. Associations between time spent using social media and internalizing and externalizing problems among US youth. JAMA psychiatry. 2019 Dec 1;76(12):1266-73.
[8] Ghai S, Magis-Weinberg L, Stoilova M, Livingstone S, Orben A. Social media and adolescent well-being in the Global South. Current Opinion in Psychology. 2022 Aug 1;46:101318.

Keywords:

Social media, Cyberbullying, cyberhate.