Peer Experiences via Social Media

Abstract

The transformation framework (Nesi et al., 2018a, 2018b) describes the ways in which the features of social media shape adolescents’ peer experiences. In the current chapter, we build on this work in three ways. First, we expand on our previous conceptualization to consider the role of algorithms as a key feature of social media. Second, we offer an updated review of the ways in which social media transforms a range of peer experiences, including peer status, peer influence, victimization, and other interpersonal behaviors and skills. Finally, we describe the translational implications of the transformation framework for adolescents’ educators, providers, and parents.

Types of Social Media Use and Digital Stress in Early Adolescence

“…The functions of hand-written diaries and photograph albums are now similarly met by personal feeds and timelines to record events and feelings, through similar features of permanence and visualness. Indeed, others have highlighted the additional benefits of availability of information on social media, in terms of facilitating retrieval of information (Nesi et al, 2021). Passive browsing of carefully curated and edited content in magazines has been replaced by scrolling passively through content posted by peers and celebrities.…”

“…Social norms are thus widely visible and accessible through viewing social media content posted by peers and others, further influencing how adolescents present themselves in image-sharing (Bell, 2019; Nesi et al, 2021). Positive self-representation is also sought by conveying the most positive image of oneself possible––now facilitated through careful curation of one’s own profile and digital enhancement of images––and appreciating or flattering social targets––amplified in frequency and salience through provision of quantifiable feedback on others’ content (Bell, 2019; Nesi et al, 2021). With individual personalised profiles, often visible to a global audience, social media in theory provides users with complete control over the strategic presentation of themselves to others.…”

“…Related to this, increased access to information about other’s social activities can foster feelings of loneliness and social exclusion, referred to as a fear of missing out (FoMo; Burnell et al, 2019). While peer interactions online may support feelings of social inclusion, quantifiable feedback on content broadcast via social media amplifies awareness and provides an immediate, visible measure of social acceptance or rejection (Bell, 2019; Nesi et al, 2021).…”

“…Other behaviours are completely novel to the age of social media, including the quantifiable feedback provided in response to broadcast content, or the use of screen-shotting to facilitate “non-consensual distribution of content” (Nesi et al, 2018b, p. 299). The framework outlines key transformative features of social media considered less prominent or irrelevant in offline interactions, including: algorithms, publicness, permanence, asynchronicity, availability, absence of cues, visualness and quantifiability (see Nesi et al, 2021).…”

“…Passive consumption of social media content is particularly conducive to the process of upward social comparisons with others, whereby comparisons are made against those better off than oneself as a form of self-evaluation (Festinger, 1954, in Frison & Eggermont, 2016). As outlined in the transformation framework (Nesi et al, 2021), unique features of social media amplify these comparisons and potentially exacerbate their harmful effect on well-being. Social media users have increased access to information about the social status, activities, achievements and physical attractiveness of others, including peers and family members, but also celebrities and models.…”