This presentatin is a class project for a class in Adolescent Psychology. Its target audience is parents, teachers and adolescents.

1. Social Networking SitesSocial Networking Sites
and the Adolescentand the Adolescent
By Nancy MarriottBy Nancy Marriott
EPR 611/Adolescent PsychologyEPR 611/Adolescent Psychology

2. Adolescent Use of SocialAdolescent Use of Social
Networking SitesNetworking Sites
Who’s OnlineWho’s Online
Where They GoWhere They Go
What They DoWhat They Do
Who They Connect WithWho They Connect With
How Do We Protect ThemHow Do We Protect Them

3. The Rise of Internet UseThe Rise of Internet Use
The U.S. population estimate for 2010 isThe U.S. population estimate for 2010 is
310,232,863310,232,863
77.3% (239,893,600) of the population use the77.3% (239,893,600) of the population use the
InternetInternet
93% of all teens aged 12 -17 use the Internet93% of all teens aged 12 -17 use the Internet
93% of all young adults aged 18 - 29 use the93% of all young adults aged 18 - 29 use the
InternetInternet

4. Some Recent StatisticsSome Recent Statistics

5. Significant IncreasesSignificant Increases
2000 -20092000 -2009
 Teen Internet use roseTeen Internet use rose
from 74% to 93%from 74% to 93%
 Young adult (18 – 29 yrs.Young adult (18 – 29 yrs.
old) Internet use roseold) Internet use rose
from 73% to 93%from 73% to 93%
 Internet use for all adultsInternet use for all adults
rose from 53% to 74%rose from 53% to 74%

6. How Are Adolescents Using theHow Are Adolescents Using the
Internet?Internet?
Social NetworkingSocial Networking
Information GatheringInformation Gathering
Video/Content SharingVideo/Content Sharing
Chat forumsChat forums
E-MailE-Mail
GamingGaming
Online PurchasingOnline Purchasing

7. Social Networking at the ForefrontSocial Networking at the Forefront
Adolescents use social networking sites far more than anyAdolescents use social networking sites far more than any
other tool available on the internet.other tool available on the internet.
Ninety-six percent of teens ages nine to seventeen whoNinety-six percent of teens ages nine to seventeen who
have internet access use social networking tools.have internet access use social networking tools.
Teens spend almost as much time using social networkingTeens spend almost as much time using social networking
sites as they spend watching television.sites as they spend watching television.

8. Popular Teen Social Networking SitesPopular Teen Social Networking Sites
Social Networking SiteSocial Networking Site % of Teens that Have a% of Teens that Have a
Profile and Use ItProfile and Use It
% of Teens that% of Teens that
Have/Had a Profile butHave/Had a Profile but
Stopped Using ItStopped Using It
1. Facebook1. Facebook 69%69% 9%9%
2. YouTube2. YouTube 64%64% 15%15%
3. MySpace3. MySpace 41%41% 22%22%
4. Twitter4. Twitter 20%20% 15%15%
5. Windows Live Spaces5. Windows Live Spaces 16%16% 7%7%
6. Pandora6. Pandora 15%15% 6%6%
7. Gaia Online7. Gaia Online 14%14% 13%13%
8. Club Penguin8. Club Penguin 13%13% 24%24%
9. Bebo9. Bebo 5%5% 10%10%
10. Hi510. Hi5 4%4% 5%5%

9. Top Teen Social SitesTop Teen Social Sites

10. What Do Teens Do on SocialWhat Do Teens Do on Social
Networking Sites?Networking Sites?
 Connect with current friends to deepen andConnect with current friends to deepen and
extend relationshipsextend relationships
 Discuss education related topics and collaborateDiscuss education related topics and collaborate
with others about educational projects andwith others about educational projects and
creative activitiescreative activities
 Reach out to others with similar interestsReach out to others with similar interests
 Make new friendsMake new friends
 Access information and seek adviceAccess information and seek advice

11. Benefits of Social Networking SitesBenefits of Social Networking Sites
1. An intimate atmosphere where teens connect and1. An intimate atmosphere where teens connect and
discuss personal issues in positive waysdiscuss personal issues in positive ways
2. A social outlet for isolated/disenfranchised teens2. A social outlet for isolated/disenfranchised teens
3. A wider network of peers with common interests3. A wider network of peers with common interests
4. Social networking sites encourage identity development4. Social networking sites encourage identity development
5. A place to seek advice and information from other5. A place to seek advice and information from other
teens who are facing health issues or social problemsteens who are facing health issues or social problems
6. Emotional support from peers6. Emotional support from peers

12. Creative/Educational Benefits ofCreative/Educational Benefits of
Social Networking SitesSocial Networking Sites
 Teens share self-created writing, art, photography,Teens share self-created writing, art, photography,
video and music with their peers.video and music with their peers.
 Students collaborate on school projects and discussStudents collaborate on school projects and discuss
school assignments.school assignments.
 Adolescents explore academic subjects with classmatesAdolescents explore academic subjects with classmates
as well as students from other schools, cities andas well as students from other schools, cities and
countries.countries.
 Students discuss college planning, learning outside ofStudents discuss college planning, learning outside of
school, and careers.school, and careers.

13. Potential Dangers of SocialPotential Dangers of Social
NetworkingNetworking
 Exposure to harassment and bullyingExposure to harassment and bullying
 Exposure to sexual advances and inappropriateExposure to sexual advances and inappropriate
sexual behaviorsexual behavior
 Teens may become targeted by pedophilesTeens may become targeted by pedophiles
 Identity theftIdentity theft
 Displaying personal and/or risky behaviors in aDisplaying personal and/or risky behaviors in a
public forumpublic forum

14. Cyber-bullying and AdolescentsCyber-bullying and Adolescents
Cyber-bullying Can TakeCyber-bullying Can Take
Many FormsMany Forms
 Publicizing private instantPublicizing private instant
messages, text messages, or e-mailmessages, text messages, or e-mail
 Posting threatening messagesPosting threatening messages
 Posting photos that will causePosting photos that will cause
embarrassmentembarrassment
 Spreading rumorsSpreading rumors

15. Teens and On-Line PredatorsTeens and On-Line Predators
 Adolescents may disclose tooAdolescents may disclose too
much personal information.much personal information.
 Vulnerable teens may engageVulnerable teens may engage
in conversations with strangersin conversations with strangers
posing as other teens.posing as other teens.
 Online romances develop inOnline romances develop in
isolation, allowing theisolation, allowing the
pedophile an opportunity topedophile an opportunity to
gain trust, personalgain trust, personal
information, and possibleinformation, and possible
physical access to teens.physical access to teens.

16. How Can We Protect Them?How Can We Protect Them?
1. Make sure computers are located in common1. Make sure computers are located in common
areas of the house.areas of the house.
2. Monitor your teens and the sites they visit.2. Monitor your teens and the sites they visit.
3. Educate your adolescent about internet safety3. Educate your adolescent about internet safety
rules.rules.
4. Talk to teens about cyber-bullying and encourage4. Talk to teens about cyber-bullying and encourage
them to talk to you.them to talk to you.
5. Encourage teens to use an alias on social5. Encourage teens to use an alias on social
networking sites.networking sites.
6. Find out what privacy protections are available6. Find out what privacy protections are available
and use themand use them..

17. ReferencesReferences
Lenhart, A., Purcell, K., Smith, A., & Zickuhr, K. (2010). Social media and young adults.Lenhart, A., Purcell, K., Smith, A., & Zickuhr, K. (2010). Social media and young adults.
Pew Internet: A Project of the Pew Research Center’s Internet and American Life Project.Pew Internet: A Project of the Pew Research Center’s Internet and American Life Project. AvailableAvailable
atat www.pewinternet.orgwww.pewinternet.org
Mitchell, K. J. & Ybarra, M. (2009). Social networking sites: Finding a balance betweenMitchell, K. J. & Ybarra, M. (2009). Social networking sites: Finding a balance between
their risks and benefits.their risks and benefits. Archives of Pediatric & Adolescent MedicineArchives of Pediatric & Adolescent Medicine, 163 (1), 87-89., 163 (1), 87-89.
Moreno, M. A., Parks, M. R., Zimmerman, F. J., Brito, T. E., & Christakis, D. A. (2009).Moreno, M. A., Parks, M. R., Zimmerman, F. J., Brito, T. E., & Christakis, D. A. (2009).
Display of health risk behaviors on MySpace by adolescents.Display of health risk behaviors on MySpace by adolescents. Archives of Pediatric &Archives of Pediatric &
Adolescent MedicineAdolescent Medicine, 163 (1), 27-34., 163 (1), 27-34.
Tynes, B. M. (2007). Internet safety gone wild? Sacrificing the educational andTynes, B. M. (2007). Internet safety gone wild? Sacrificing the educational and
psychosocial benefits of online social environments.psychosocial benefits of online social environments. Journal of Adolescent ResearchJournal of Adolescent Research, 22 (6),, 22 (6),
575-584. doi:10.1177/0743558407303979575-584. doi:10.1177/0743558407303979
Wolak, J., Finkelhor, D., Mitchell, K. J., & Ybarra, M. L. (2008). Online predators andWolak, J., Finkelhor, D., Mitchell, K. J., & Ybarra, M. L. (2008). Online predators and
their victims: Myths, realities, and implications for prevention and treatment.their victims: Myths, realities, and implications for prevention and treatment. AmericanAmerican
PsychologistPsychologist, 63 (2), 111-128. doi: 10.1037/0003-066x63.2.111, 63 (2), 111-128. doi: 10.1037/0003-066x63.2.111