Write a summary and critique of the article : Online communication, social media and adolescent wellbeing: a systematic narrative review
Paul Best et al. (2014) conducted
a study to review the evidence, which presented both of the beneficial and
harmful effects, regarding the effects of Social Media Technologies (SMT ) on adolescent well-being
and to synthesize current research on the impact of SMT . This study utilized each 41 key words finding during
11th-18th April 2013, which
retrieved a systematic narrative review of published research during January 2003 to April 2013 from eight
bibliographic databases(1- ASSIA, 2-Communication Abstracts, 3-CINAHL, 4 –ERIC,
5–Medline, 6-PsycINFO, 7- Scopus and 8 -SSCI). The methodological study was
influenced by systematic reviewing techniques. It was developed an approach as
following (1) searching technique,(2) selecting a final 43 relevant studies from
pre-define keywords of searching,(3) using quality appraisal tool,(4) using a
narrative synthesis method, (5) developing a multi-dimensional framework with
concepts from sociology, psychology and communication studies literature at
three social levels (1-macro level: communication approaches , 2-meso level:
systems approaches, 3- micro level: adolescent development approaches). The
result showed that the influence of SMT on adolescent well-being was varied. Following
13 of the 43 studies indicated beneficial outcomes using of SMT effects on
adolescent well-being were reported as perceived social support, increased
self-esteem, increased belongingness, and safe identity testing, increased
self-disclosure and enhanced perception of associated positive feedback in
community. However, negative effects were reported as increased risk of
depression, social isolation, cyber-bullying, increased risk of exposure to
online harm, decreased psychological wellbeing.
This
study provides the response in the high quality methodology of studies. As part
of review method was developed connecting the relationship between data exploration
and synthesizing of the robustness. However, there are some limitations.
1.
Overall methodological qualities of included
papers were over-represented on cross-sectional survey in question research as a
designed weakness. Additionally, it was unable
to clearly recognize various factors such as identity, age, gender, geography,
status, amount of usage on adolescent SMT. For example; it is possible that adolescent
face more risks on online activities and experiences are closely linked with
offline activities and experiences (Livingstone et al., 2014). There might be easily
linked to interpersonal interactions via SMT has a detrimental mental and
behavior effect on adolescents (Patton et al., 2014, p.548-549).
2.
The study investigated based on the systematic
review that a lot of formats and forms of papers might be lack of rigorous
definition of the specific objectives of the relationship between SMT and well-being
experience. Either positive or negative effects are premise online activities
rather than variables. The study should be identified topics of positive and
negative effects from each included papers and/or ensure appropriately weighted
their related concepts to enable the reliable research.
The strength of this study is to
combine a systematic review and a narrative review in order to reduce a bias.
Another advantage of tables was showed clearly summary type of a final 43
included studies’ methodology and related concepts by study. Social networking site is an integrated part
of the adolescent’s everyday lives and online activities that might lead to
higher degrees of adolescent’s physical and psychical well-being(Patton,2014;
Subrahmanyam, 2009). The further study should emphasize more rigorous scope of
adolescent in both physical and psychical well-being and development.
Reference list
1. Best, P., Manktelow, R., & Taylor, B. (2014). Online
communication, social media and adolescent wellbeing: a systematic narrative
review. Children and Youth Services Review, 41, 27-36.
2. Livingstone,S.,Haddon,L.,Görzig,A.,and Ólafsson,K.
(2011). Risks and safety on the internet: The perspective of European
children.LSE: The London of School Economics and Political Science, London: EU
Kids Online, www.eukidsonline.net, 1-163.
3. Patton,D.U.,Hong,J.S.,Ranney,M.,Patel,S.,Kelley,C.,Eschmann,R.,&
Washington,T.(2014).Social media as a vector for youth violence:A review of the
literature. Computers in Human Behavior,35,548-553.
4. Subrahmanyam,K., Garcia, E., Harsono,L.S., Li, J. S.,
& Lipana,L.(2009). In their words: Connecting on‐line weblogs to
developmental processes. British Journal of Developmental Psychology, 27(1),
219-245.
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