Influence of Social Networks on the Social Acceptance of Adolescents Between the Ages of 14 and 16 Years Old

Overview

This research examined how social media use influences the social acceptance of adolescents aged 14 to 16. Therefore, the purpose of the study was to determine whether social media contributes to social acceptance or increases the need for external validation. If teens use social media more frequently, then the influence of social media on their perception of social acceptance will increase, due to factors such as comparison with others, the importance of likes, and social pressure to post content. Data was collected from a sample of 43 adolescents using a structured questionnaire that measured the importance of social media approval through social comparison, emotional impact and perceived social pressure. Descriptive statistics were used to analyze collect data from surveys. The results revealed consistently low levels of social acceptance need and emotional pressure associated with social media use. Mean scores across variables ranged from 1.14 to 2.14, corresponding to the response categories “Nothing” and “Little.” Medians were located at values of 1 or 2, indicating that at least half of the participants reported low levels of pressure and acceptance-seeking behaviors. The predominant mode was 1, confirming that minimal dependence on social validation was the most frequent response. Overall, the findings indicate that social media use does not significantly negatively affect social acceptance in this sample and highlight the importance of balanced and responsible social media use.

Competition history

• ISEF 2026 Behavioral and Social Sciences · Entry BEHA022

Resources

• ISEF abstract page ↗

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