WBT Flipbooks

Hopelab & Well Being Trust 61 Positive and Negative Experiences and Reactions to Social Media In general, teen and young adult social media users report getting more positive feedback than negative feedback on social media. For example, when asked how frequently they receive positive comments from others on social media, 32% say they "often" do; when asked how frequently they get negative comments from others on social media, just 3% say they "often" do. All told, a total of 82% say they "often" or "sometimes" get positive comments, while a total of 26% often or sometimes get negative comments (respondents may get both type of comments). Similarly, nearly two-thirds (65%) say they "hardly ever" or "never" feel left out when using social media, compared to about a third (34%) who say they often (7%) or sometimes (27%) do. And TYAs are slightly more likely to disagree than to agree with the statement "I see so much bad news in social media that it makes me stressed and anxious" (53% disagree, including 21% who do so strongly, compared to 46% who agree, 9% strongly). But TYA social media users are somewhat more likely to agree than disagree that they feel like they always have to show the best version of themselves on social media, with 53% agreeing (14% strongly) and 47% disagreeing (22% strongly). And a majority (57%) report feeling like other people are doing better than they are (15% often feel that way when using social media). Some teen and young adult social media users have experienced or engaged in negative interactions or "drama" around their social media use, including 23% who say they've been "trolled" on social media (having somebody create intentionally conflict with them via social media), and 12% who say they've trolled somebody else. One in five (20%) say they have "stalked" someone on social media (extensively checking people out online without them knowing about it), and 18% have deleted a social media account after a personal conflict with somebody. Figure 12: Reported positive and negative social media experiences Among 14- to 22-year-old social media users, percent who say they "often" experience or "strongly agree" with the following about social media Source: Hopelab/Well Being Trust Teens and Young Adults Survey, February-March 2018. N=1,242 social media users ages 14-22. 82% 57% 56% 46% 28% 34% 26% 53% Get positive comments from others Feel like other people are doing better than they are Post something but get hardly any comments or likes See so much bad news in social media that it makes them stressed and anxious Use social media as a way to avoid dealing with problems Feel left out when using social media Get negative comments from others Feel like they have to show the best version of themselves "Often" or "Strongly agree" "Sometimes" or "Somewhat agree" Social Media Use and Mental Well-Being Social Media Use Among Teens and Young Adults

• Cover