Reexamining Social Media and Socioemotional Well-Being Among Adolescents Through the Lens of the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Theoretical Review and Directions for Future Research

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S4 (based). May combine two claims.

The COVID-19 pandemic has magnified both the challenges and opportunities of adolescents' social media use.

“The COVID-19 pandemic has magnified both the challenges of and opportunities of adolescents’ social media use, which necessitates a revisiting of the conversation around teens and social media.”

May combine two claims.

Adolescence is a developmental period in which teens are exposed to more interpersonal stress, experience more emotional intensity and dysregulation, and are at heightened risk for first onset and worsening of nearly all mental health problems.

“Adolescence also is the developmental period in which teens are exposed to more interpersonal stress (Hamilton et al., 2015), experience more emotional intensity and dysregulation (Guyer et al., 2016), and are at heightened risk for first onset and worsening of nearly all mental health problems (Kessler et al., 2005; Patton & Viner, 2007)”

• cites Hamilton et al., 2015Not checked yet

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• cites Guyer et al., 2016Not checked yet

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• cites Kessler et al., 2005; Patton & Viner, 2007Not checked yet

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Adolescence is characterized by identity exploration, increasing autonomy from parents and reliance on peers, heightened sensation-seeking and risk-taking, and initiation of romantic and sexual relationships.

“Adolescence is a time of significant and rapid biological, social, and psychological changes, which is characterized by identity exploration, increasing autonomy from parents and reliance on peers, heightened sensation-seeking and risk-taking, and the initiation of romantic and sexual relationships (Dahl et al., 2018).”

• cites Dahl et al., 2018Not checked yet

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Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S2 (checkable).

A reductionist approach that sees social media as merely 'helpful or harmful' is insufficient for understanding its impact on adolescent well-being.

“we argue that the field must move toward research on social media that is both nuanced and applicable. In this review, we discuss the importance of moving away from reductionist approaches that see social media as merely “helpful or harmful” and instead, consider the nuances of for whom, in what ways, and when social media use impacts adolescent well-being.”

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing). May combine two claims.

Peer relationships take on paramount importance during adolescence, a period often referred to as social reorientation.

“In general, peer relationships take on paramount importance during adolescence, and adolescence is often referred to as a period of “social reorientation” (Nelson et al., 2005).”

• cites Nelson et al., 2005Not checked yet

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Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S2 (checkable), S4 (based).

The COVID-19 pandemic and associated physical distancing measures have revealed the necessity of changing the conversation around teens and social media use.

“More than ever before, the COVID-19 pandemic and associated physical distancing measures have revealed the necessity of changing the conversation around teens and social media use, shifting toward a more balanced understanding of risks and benefits that directly informs guidelines for parents and teens.”

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing). May combine two claims.

Social media has rapidly transformed the ways in which adolescents interact with one another, sparking debate about its impact on socioemotional well-being and mental health.

“Social media has rapidly transformed the ways in which adolescents interact with one another, sparking intense scholarly and public debate around its potential impact on teens’ socioemotional well-being and mental health.”

• cites Shapiro & Margolin, 2014Not checked yet

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Social media tends to be more public, more quantifiable, and involve fewer interpersonal cues compared to face-to-face conversations.

“For example, compared to face-to-face conversations, social media tends to be more public, allowing for simultaneous interactions with many people at once. It also tends to be more “quantifiable”: the things individuals do online are often characterized by numbers of likes, followers, and views, and social media tends to involve fewer “interpersonal cues,” including tone of voice, facial”

• cites Boyd, 2011; Moreno & Uhls, 2019; Nesi et al., 2018aNot checked yet

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For many youth around the globe, schools have been closed, extracurricular activities and milestones have been canceled, and peer socializing has been limited.

“For many youth around the globe, schools have been closed (Lee, 2020), extracurricular activities and milestones (e.g., graduation, dances, sporting events) have been canceled, and peer socializing has been limited for families and states who are adhering to policy recommendations and mandates.”

• cites Lee, 2020Not checked yet

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May combine two claims.

Social media has become central to the social context of adolescence, and COVID-19 has only magnified this reality.

“Social media has become central to the social context of adolescence, and COVID-19 has only magnified this reality. Over the past 15 years, the advent and rapid growth of social media has transformed the ways in which adolescents interact with peers and the world around them (Shapiro & Margolin, 2014).”

• cites Shapiro & Margolin, 2014Not checked yet

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Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

During the COVID-19 pandemic, many adolescents reported an increase in the use of digital technologies to communicate with family and friends.

“During the COVID-19 pandemic, many adolescents reported an increase in the use of digital technologies to communicate with family and friends (e.g., Common Sense Media, 2020).”

• cites Common Sense Media, 2020Not checked yet

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May combine two claims.

Many studies have found significant, albeit small, associations between time on social media and higher levels of depression, anxiety, sleep problems, body dissatisfaction, disordered eating, and health-risk behaviors.

“While many studies have found significant, albeit small, associations between time on social media and higher levels of depression, anxiety, sleep problems, body dissatisfaction, disordered eating, and health-risk behaviors (Carter et al., 2016; Holland & Tiggemann, 2016; Twenge & Campbell, 2018; Vannucci et al., 2020)”

• cites Carter et al., 2016; Holland & Tiggemann, 2016; Twenge & Campbell, 2018; Vannucci et al., 2020Not checked yet

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Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

Social media, particularly when used to facilitate direct social interactions with friends, can have a positive effect on teens' well-being.

“Still others have found the opposite effect – that social media, particularly when used to facilitate direct social interactions with friends – can have a positive effect on teens’ well-being (Clarke et al., 2018; Hamilton et al., 2020).”

• cites Clarke et al., 2018; Hamilton et al., 2020Not checked yet

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Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing). May combine two claims.

Adolescence is the period in which many youth begin their first romantic relationships, offering opportunities for development of social skills and sexual identities.

“Adolescence also is the period in which many youth begin their first romantic relationships, with these relationships offering important opportunities for development of social skills (e.g., conflict negotiation, assertion of needs) and sexual identities (Collins, 2003; Savin-Williams & Cohen, 2015).”

• cites Collins, 2003; Savin-Williams & Cohen, 2015Not checked yet

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May combine two claims.

Teens are less susceptible to COVID-19 infection and account for a smaller proportion of severe cases and deaths than adults.

“Further exacerbating this problem is that teens are indeed less susceptible to COVID-19 infection and account for a smaller proportion of severe cases and deaths than adults (Viner et al., 2020).”

• cites Viner et al., 2020Not checked yet

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Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

As youth transition from childhood to adolescence, they spend increasing amounts of unsupervised time with peers.

“As youth transition from childhood to adolescence, they spend increasing amounts of unsupervised time with peers (Lam et al., 2014).”

• cites Lam et al., 2014Not checked yet

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Other studies have found no associations between screen time and socioemotional well-being.

“others have found no such associations for screen time and socioemotional well-being (Cohen et al., 2017; Jensen et al., 2019; Orben & Przybylski, 2019).”

• cites Cohen et al., 2017; Jensen et al., 2019; Orben & Przybylski, 2019Not checked yet

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May combine two claims.

Engaging in high-risk behavior is a normative part of adolescence, due in part to peer influence processes and teens' personal fable mindset.

“Engaging in high-risk behavior is a normative part of adolescence (Steinberg, 2004), in part due to peer influence processes that provide adolescents with social rewards for risk-taking (Blakemore, 2018; Chein et al., 2011), and partially due to teens’ “personal fable” mindset: believing oneself to be uniquely invulnerable to risks (i.e., “this won’t happen to me”; Buis & Thompson, 1989).”

• cites Steinberg, 2004Not checked yet

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• cites Blakemore, 2018; Chein et al., 2011Not checked yet

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• cites Buis & Thompson, 1989Not checked yet

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Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing), S4 (based).

Adolescents may be better equipped to maintain and explore new ways of social connection than other age groups given their status as digital natives.

“Adolescents may connect with peers in a variety of ways using social media, and in some ways, teens may be better equipped to maintain and explore new ways of social connection than other age groups given their status as “digital natives.””

Classified as probably not a substantial claim.

A consensus is now emerging that the sheer amount of time youth spend on social media is less important than the specific behaviors in which they engage online.

“A consensus is now emerging that, perhaps, the sheer amount of time youth spend on social media is less important than the specific behaviors in which they engage online (Prinstein et al., 2020), yet gaps in knowledge remain.”

• cites Prinstein et al., 2020Not checked yet

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May combine two claims.

Passively browsing memes or TikTok videos may relieve boredom and provide entertainment but does not represent an intimate social interaction.

“For example, passively browsing memes or TikTok videos may relieve boredom and provide entertainment, but, due to the lack of synchronous interaction and shared interpersonal cues, does not represent an intimate social interaction.”

May combine two claims.

Social media may promote social connection for peers with whom there is already a strong and stable connection and might weaken connections with classmates or more loosely-connected peer relationships.

“However, it also may promote social connection for peers with whom there is already a strong and stable connection (e.g., friends), and might weaken connections with classmates or more loosely-connected or tenuous peer relationships.”

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S2 (checkable). May combine two claims.

The COVID-19 pandemic has magnified gaps in knowledge about teen social media use, and the public needs clear, evidence-based guidelines.

“The COVID-19 pandemic has magnified these gaps, as more than ever before, the public needs clear, evidence-based guidelines for how to understand and navigate teens’ social media use.”

May combine two claims.

This may have the unintended effect of further cementing existing social circles or hindering the development of new friendships during a developmental period typically characterized by friendship transitions and changes.

“This may have the unintended effect of further cementing existing social circles or hindering the development of new friendships during a developmental period that is typically characterized by friendship transitions and changes (Poulin & Chan, 2015).”

• cites Poulin & Chan, 2015Not checked yet

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May combine two claims.

Meeting up with a friend or romantic partner on video chat may more closely resemble an in-person interaction and provide stronger social connection.

“Meeting up with a friend or romantic partner on video chat, on the other hand, may more closely resemble an in-person interaction and provide stronger social connection.”

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing), S4 (based).

Social restrictions and the temporary dissolution of school may present youth the opportunity to expand their networks to peers within their communities and more broadly.

“Although teens often connect on social media with peers in their existing social network, social restrictions and the temporary dissolution of school may present youth the opportunity to expand their networks to peers within their communities and more broadly.”

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

Adolescent boys are more likely to play video and online games compared to girls.

“This may be especially true among adolescent boys, compared to girls, who are more likely to play video and online games (Anderson & Jiang, 2018).”

• cites Anderson & Jiang, 2018Not checked yet

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May combine two claims.

Many adolescents are turning to social media with increased frequency and developing new ways of using social media to connect with peers and the world.

“With the COVID-19 pandemic causing abrupt and prolonged social disruption for adolescents, many are turning to social media with increased frequency (Ellis et al., 2020; Munasinghe et al., 2020) and developing new ways of using social media to connect with their peers and the world.”

• cites Ellis et al., 2020; Munasinghe et al., 2020Not checked yet

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Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing), S4 (based).

Much of the content adolescents view on social media during COVID-19 may be related to the COVID-19 pandemic or the inequities that have been exposed.

“Much of the content adolescents view on social media during this time may be related to the COVID-19 pandemic or the inequities that have been exposed.”

May combine two claims.

As teens spend more time passively scrolling through social media to relieve boredom, they may come across a barrage of upsetting content, perhaps exacerbating anxieties, creating a sense of loneliness and helplessness, and negatively impacting mood.

“As teens spend more time passively scrolling through social media to relieve boredom, they may come across a barrage of upsetting content, perhaps exacerbating anxieties, creating a sense of loneliness and helplessness, and negatively impacting mood.”

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S4 (based). May combine two claims.

Distancing practices may prevent teens from gaining in-person social support to cope with emerging anxieties, and teens may have fewer distractions readily available.

“Distancing practices also may prevent teens from gaining in-person social support to cope with these emerging anxieties, and teens may have fewer distractions readily available.”

May combine two claims.

While social media interactions may help teens feel supported and connected, social media also may become an unanticipated source of chronic and acute stressors.

“Thus, while these interactions may help teens feel supported and connected to peers, social media also may become an unanticipated source of chronic and acute stressors (Steele et al., 2020).”

• cites Steele et al., 2020Not checked yet

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Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S2 (checkable), S3 (load-bearing), S4 (based).

Much of this COVID-19-related content may be scary, sad, or overwhelming.

“Much of this content may be scary, sad, or overwhelming.”

May combine two claims.

Youth may be more likely to come across inappropriate or distressing content, such as peers engaging in risky behaviors, visual displays of racism, or self-injurious behaviors, which may contribute to the onset and worsening of mental health symptoms.

“For instance, youth may be more likely to come across inappropriate or distressing content, depicting, for example, peers engaging in risky behaviors (Vannucci et al., 2020), visual displays of individual and systemic racism (Tynes et al., 2019), or even self-injurious behaviors (Marchant et al., 2019), which may contribute to the onset and worsening of mental health symptoms.”

• cites Vannucci et al., 2020Not checked yet

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• cites Tynes et al., 2019Not checked yet

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• cites Marchant et al., 2019Not checked yet

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May combine two claims.

Teens' cognitive and affective states may influence social media use and teens' online experiences, which may be exacerbated during COVID-19.

“Specifically, teens’ cognitive and affective states may influence social media use and teens’ online experiences, which may be exacerbated during COVID-19.”

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S4 (based). May combine two claims.

For some teens, the social threat and reward available on social media might be difficult to disengage from, or may contribute to psychological stress, particularly given adolescents' ongoing cognitive development.

“For some teens, the social threat and reward available on social media might be difficult to disengage from, or may contribute to psychological stress, particularly given adolescents’ ongoing cognitive development.”

• AssumptionRests on an assumption: Adolescents have ongoing cognitive development that affects their ability to disengage from social media.

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing), S4 (based).

For some youth, physical distancing practices and increased time at home may reduce anxieties and stressors, such that youth may have more agency in when and how they participate in social activities.

“However, for some youth, physical distancing practices and increased time at home may reduce anxieties and stressors, such that youth may now have more agency in when and how they participate in social activities.”

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing), S4 (based).

Staying home may relieve social or time pressures of in-person beauty or material standards for some youth, thereby having a positive impact on self-esteem and body image.

“At the same time, however, it is possible that staying home may relieve the social or time pressures of in-person beauty or material standards for some youth, thereby having a positive impact on self-esteem and body image.”

May combine two claims.

Youth are not only passive consumers of media, but actively seek and contribute to their social environments, both online and offline.

“Yet, youth are not only passive consumers of media, but actively seek and contribute to their social environments (Flynn & Rudolph, 2011), both online and offline (Subrahmanyam et al., 2006).”

• cites Flynn & Rudolph, 2011Not checked yet

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• cites Subrahmanyam et al., 2006Not checked yet

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COVID-19 may heighten depressogenic and anxious thoughts and behaviors, which, in turn, may impact how and when teens use social media.

“For instance, COVID-19 may heighten depressogenic and anxious thoughts and behaviors, which, in turn, may impact how and when teens use social media (Drouin et al., 2020).”

• cites Drouin et al., 2020Not checked yet

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FoMO may be even more pronounced as parents vary in adherence and physical distancing practices, and it may be more challenging for teens whose peers are spending time together in person.

“FoMO may be even more pronounced as parents vary in adherence and physical distancing practices, and it may be more challenging for teens whose peers are spending time together in person.”

• AssumptionRests on an assumption: Parents vary in adherence to physical distancing practices.

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S2 (checkable), S4 (based).

The pandemic has laid bare the limitations in our current understanding of how social media affects adolescent well-being.

“In doing so, the pandemic has laid bare the limitations in our current understanding of how social media affects adolescent well-being.”

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing), S4 (based).

Teens who are immuno-compromised or have pre-existing medical conditions may be even more socially isolated and anxious about COVID-19 and re-opening practices.

“For example, teens who are immuno-compromised or have pre-existing medical conditions may be even more socially isolated and anxious about COVID-19 and re-opening practices.”

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing), S4 (based).

As the economic fallout of the pandemic disproportionately affects lower income families, these disparities may be further magnified in the wake of COVID-19 and for years to come.

“As the economic fallout of the pandemic disproportionately affects lower income families, these disparities may be further magnified in the wake of COVID-19 and for years to come.”

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

It is possible that social media offers teens an opportunity to seek social support from online communities.

“In these challenging times, it is possible that social media offers teens an opportunity to seek social support from online communities.”

May combine two claims.

A large body of work documents that lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ) youth are at heightened risk for mental health concerns, especially if they are rejected by their families or experience abuse.

“Further, a large body of work documents that lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ) youth are at heightened risk for mental health concerns, especially if they are rejected by their families or experience abuse (Choukas-Bradley & Thoma, In press).”

• cites Choukas-Bradley & Thoma, In pressNot checked yet

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These concerns may be exacerbated during the COVID-19 pandemic, when some LGBTQ teens are living in close quarters with families in high-conflict situations, and with no natural escape to school, work, or time with peers.

“These concerns may be exacerbated during the COVID-19 pandemic, when some LGBTQ teens are living in close quarters with families in high-conflict situations, and with no natural escape to school, work, or time with peers.”

May combine two claims.

As teens spend more time on social media and experience more negative affective states, these youth may be more likely to seek out and react negatively to content, which may subsequently lead youth to encounter more of that content.

“As teens spend more time on social media and experience more negative affective states, these youth may be more likely to seek out and react negatively to content, which may subsequently lead youth to encounter more of that content.”

May combine two claims.

While social media may be beneficial for many teens, it may be a 'lifeline' for teens who are isolated or who live in unsafe or unhealthy environments and are in need of social support.

“While social media may be beneficial for many teens, particularly during COVID-19, it may be a “lifeline” for teens who are isolated or who live in unsafe or unhealthy environments and are in need of social support.”

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

In the United States, individuals who are Black, Latinx, and Indigenous are two to four times more likely to be hospitalized due to COVID-19 than White communities.

“In the United States, individuals who are Black, Latinx, and Indigenous are two to four times more likely to be hospitalized due to COVID-19 than White communities (as of December 2020, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2020).”

• cites Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2020Not checked yet

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Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S2 (checkable), S4 (based). May combine two claims.

As the pandemic has reshaped teens' daily lives, it has reshaped their use of social media, magnifying existing challenges and opportunities of social media use across multiple domains of social and emotional well-being.

“As the pandemic has reshaped teens’ daily lives, so too has it reshaped their use of social media, magnifying existing challenges and opportunities of social media use, across multiple domains of social and emotional well-being.”

May combine two claims.

Media effects scholars have long recognized that media does not impact all youth in the same way, and that youth are active contributors in constructing their digital environments.

“Media effects scholars have long recognized that media does not impact all youth in the same way, and that youth are active contributors in constructing their digital environments (Valkenburg & Peter, 2013).”

• cites Valkenburg & Peter, 2013Not checked yet

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May combine two claims.

As youth are using more social media, teens may be more likely to be exposed to content or videos circulating on the internet that are discriminatory or that highlight violence and systemic racism, which may be a unique form of racial trauma that impacts mental health.

“As youth are using more social media (Common Sense Media, 2020; Ellis et al., 2020), teens may be more likely to be exposed to content or videos circulating on the internet that are discriminatory or that highlight violence and systemic racism, which may be a unique form of racial trauma that impacts mental health (Saleem et al., 2020; Tynes et al., 2019).”

• cites Saleem et al., 2020Not checked yet

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• cites Tynes et al., 2019Not checked yet

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Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S2 (checkable), S3 (load-bearing). May combine two claims.

This may be particularly pronounced during COVID-19, which may prompt mental health and related fields to further improve online engagement with teens for mental health prevention and early intervention.

“This may be particularly pronounced during COVID-19, which may prompt mental health and related fields to further improve online engagement with teens for mental health prevention and early intervention (Gruber et al., 2020).”

• cites Gruber et al., 2020Not checked yet

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Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing), S4 (based).

The need to rely on video tools for socialization may create new anxieties due to a lack of established social rules and comfort with these platforms, particularly for anxious teens.

“Further, the need to rely on video tools for socialization may create new anxieties due to a lack of established social rules and comfort with these platforms, particularly for anxious teens, which will be important to explore among individuals across development.”

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing), S4 (based). May combine two claims.

These youth may rely even more heavily on social media to meet basic needs for social connection and autonomy, or, alternatively, have more limited access to social media as financial constraints impact smartphone and internet services.

“These youth may thus rely even more heavily on social media to meet basic needs for social connection and autonomy, or, alternatively, have more limited access to social media as financial constraints impact smartphone and internet services.”

May combine two claims.

COVID-19 has not equally affected all adolescents and families, which highlights the systemic racism that has contributed to the disproportionate rates and effects of COVID-19 among racial and ethnic minorities in high-income or developed countries.

“Importantly, COVID-19 has not equally affected all adolescents and families, which highlights the systemic racism that has contributed to the disproportionate rates and effects of COVID-19 among racial and ethnic minorities in high-income or developed countries (Razai et al., 2021; Sze et al., 2020).”

• cites Razai et al., 2021Not checked yet

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• cites Sze et al., 2020Not checked yet

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May combine two claims.

LGBTQ adolescents may use social media to connect with friends and romantic partners, or with online-only LGBTQ support networks.

“For example, LGBTQ adolescents may use social media to connect with friends and romantic partners, or with online-only LGBTQ support networks (Kuper & Mustanski, 2014).”

• cites Kuper & Mustanski, 2014Not checked yet

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Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

A meta-analytic review of studies from the United States and United Kingdom found that individuals of Black and Asian ethnicity are at increased risk of COVID-19 infection compared to White individuals.

“Specifically, a meta-analytic review of studies from the United States and United Kingdom found that individuals of Black and Asian ethnicity are at increased risk of COVID-19 infection compared to White individuals (Sze et al., 2020).”

• cites Sze et al., 2020Not checked yet

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Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing), S4 (based).

COVID-19 has intensified considerations involving the greater social and geopolitical context of adolescents' lives, which may affect social media use and experiences.

“Broadly, COVID-19 has intensified considerations involving the greater social and geopolitical context of adolescents’ lives such as families, communities, culture, laws, and policies (e.g., different rates of infection or local policies and enforcement of physical distancing during COVID-19), which may affect social media use and experiences.”

May combine two claims.

Social media may provide these teens with a much-needed space to connect with similar peers and provide coping resources and support for teens navigating the complex emotions of fear, grief, loss, and trauma.

“Social media may provide these teens with a much-needed space to connect with similar peers and provide coping resources and support for teens navigating the complex emotions of fear, grief, loss, and trauma.”

May combine two claims.

Teens' anxious thoughts may make youth seek out, share, or be more affected by COVID-related news and information, contributing to panic or general worries or perpetuating misinformation on social media to their peer network.

“Similarly, teens’ anxious thoughts may make youth seek out, share, or be more affected by COVID-related news and information (Rogers et al., 2021), contributing to panic or general worries about what might happen or perpetuating misinformation on social media to their peer network.”

• cites Rogers et al., 2021Not checked yet

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May combine two claims.

Adolescents from economically disadvantaged households are more likely to experience negative effects from social media, and to engage in more unstructured and unsupervised screen time, particularly if parents work in essential fields.

“Adolescents from economically disadvantaged households are more likely to experience negative effects from social media (George et al., 2020), and to engage in more unstructured and unsupervised screen time (Mascheroni & Ólafsson, 2014), particularly if parents work in essential fields.”

• cites George et al., 2020Not checked yet

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• cites Mascheroni & Ólafsson, 2014Not checked yet

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Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S2 (checkable), S3 (load-bearing), S4 (based).

Social media may provide a much-needed sense of community and action, uniting youth across the world to use their voices and tools to demand change.

“At the same time, however, social media may provide a much-needed sense of community and action, uniting youth across the world to use their voices and tools to demand change.”

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing), S4 (based).

Physical distancing measures may be more burdensome for families with fewer resources, who may live in smaller spaces, unsafe neighborhoods, or crowded conditions.

“At the same time, physical distancing measures may be more burdensome for families with fewer resources, who may live in smaller spaces, unsafe neighborhoods, or crowded conditions.”

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing), S4 (based).

As unemployment rates continue to soar during COVID-19, there may be new financial hardship and stress experienced by youth during an already uncertain time.

“As unemployment rates continue to soar during COVID-19, there also may be new financial hardship and stress experienced by youth during an already uncertain time.”

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S2 (checkable), S3 (load-bearing), S4 (based).

By continuously refocusing efforts on uncovering the nuances of what, when, and for whom social media use influences different domains of adolescent well-being, research can produce insights with direct relevance to teens, families, and providers.

“By continuously refocusing efforts on uncovering the nuances of what, when, and for whom social media use influences different domains of adolescent well-being, research can produce insights with direct relevance to teens, families, and providers.”

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S2 (checkable), S3 (load-bearing), S4 (based).

Understanding the time-varying processes of social media use and its impact within individuals across multiple domains of well-being and functioning may provide information to translate research into the design and development of tools for teens to better understand and alter their own use.

“Understanding the time-varying processes of social media use and its impact within individuals across multiple domains of well-being and functioning also may provide information to translate research into the design and development of tools for teens to better understand and alter their own use.”

Classified as probably not a substantial claim.

COVID-19 has spurred questions relating to how teens' use and experiences of social media have been impacted by the pandemic and its disruptions.

“In this sense, COVID-19 has spurred questions relating to how teens’ use and experiences of social media have been impacted by the pandemic and its disruptions.”

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S2 (checkable), S4 (based).

COVID-19 has magnified many of the existing considerations of social media use and its potential effects on adolescent health and well-being.

“COVID-19 has magnified many of the existing considerations of social media use and its potential effects on adolescent health and well-being.”

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S2 (checkable).

Focusing on the affordances provided by the various platforms may provide a more generalizable approach for social media research moving forward.

“Focusing on the affordances provided by the various platforms (Nesi et al., 2018a) also may provide a more generalizable approach for social media research moving forward, as these platforms and functions continue to grow and evolve.”

• cites Nesi et al., 2018aNot checked yet

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Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S2 (checkable).

Understanding timing speaks to the relevance of both within-person and between-person differences.

“Generalizing these considerations to the larger research agenda on adolescent social media use, understanding timing speaks to the relevance of both within-person and between-person differences.”

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S2 (checkable), S3 (load-bearing), S4 (based).

Individual changes within and across COVID-19 may be a microcosm of an individual's larger experience with social media.

“Thus, individual changes within and across COVID-19 may be a microcosm of an individual’s larger experience with social media.”

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S2 (checkable), S3 (load-bearing).

This approach may serve as one example of how research can seek to understand the complex relationships of social media and one critical domain of adolescent well-being.

“This approach may serve as one example of how research can seek to understand the complex relationships of social media and one critical domain of adolescent well-being.”

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S2 (checkable), S4 (based). May combine two claims.

Adolescents are a unique population within the context of the COVID-19 pandemic, both in terms of their developmental stage and as the "digital native" generation best equipped to use social media to stay socially-connected while physically distant.

“Adolescents are a unique population within the context of the COVID-19 pandemic, both in terms of their developmental stage and as the “digital native” generation best equipped to use social media to stay socially-connected while physically distant.”

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S4 (based). May combine two claims.

Parents' rules and guidelines for teens' social media use may vary depending on individual characteristics of youth, such as demographic factors and vulnerabilities and strengths, and their approach may differ across adolescents in the same household.

“It is important to recognize, however, that parents’ rules and guidelines for teens’ social media use may vary depending on individual characteristics of youth, such as demographic factors (e.g., age, gender) and vulnerabilities and strengths (e.g., self-regulation, coping), and that their approach may differ across adolescents in the same household.”

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S2 (checkable).

COVID-19 has provided an opportunity for the field to re-evaluate current research approaches and work towards a more nuanced understanding of adolescent social media use and socioemotional well-being.

“In doing so, it has provided an opportunity for the field to re-evaluate current research approaches and work towards a more nuanced understanding of adolescent social media use and socioemotional well-being.”

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S1 (asserted), S2 (checkable), S3 (load-bearing).

COVID-19 may provide a context in which to evaluate the cross-cultural similarities and differences in adolescent social media use.

“As a worldwide pandemic, COVID-19 may provide a context in which to evaluate the cross-cultural similarities and differences in adolescent social media use, including how the sociocultural and geopolitical forces of adolescents’ environments (e.g., messaging from public health and government officials) shape social media use and its impact on teens’ well-being.”

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S2 (checkable), S4 (based).

Social media does not represent a monolithic entity, but rather a broad and diverse array of tools that can be used in a multitude of ways.

“Social media does not represent a monolithic entity, but rather a broad and diverse array of tools that can be used in a multitude of ways.”

Classified as probably not a substantial claim.

This reliance on cross-sectional methods and self-report measures has hindered researchers' ability to make meaningful conclusions with direct applicability to the public.

“This has hindered researchers’ ability to make meaningful conclusions with direct applicability to the public.”

• AssumptionRests on an assumption: The majority of studies in adolescent social media research have relied on cross-sectional methods and self-report measures.

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S2 (checkable).

Understanding the specific types of features and functions that affect different domains of adolescent well-being, particularly using an affordance-based approach, may provide critical information to guide the development of the next wave of social media applications.

“Understanding the specific types of features and functions that affect different domains of adolescent well-being, particularly using an affordance-based approach, may provide critical information to guide the development of the next wave of social media applications.”

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S4 (based).

In regard to COVID-19, the field has not yet had time to rigorously test its effects on adolescent social media use and related psychosocial outcomes.

“In regard to COVID-19, the field has not yet had time to rigorously test its effects on adolescent social media use and related psychosocial outcomes.”

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S2 (checkable). May combine two claims.

The field has come a long way in a relatively short time, but COVID-19 has demonstrated that it still has a long way to go toward enacting a research agenda regarding social media use and adolescent well-being that is both more nuanced and applicable.

“While the field has come a long way in a relatively short time, COVID-19 has demonstrated that it still has a long way to go toward enacting a research agenda regarding social media use and adolescent well-being that is both more nuanced and applicable.”

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing), S4 (based).

Parents' relationships and attitudes towards social media use and technology may have direct implications for teens' use and experiences.

“For instance, parents’ relationships and attitudes towards social media use and technology may have direct implications for teens’ use and experiences.”