Social Media Made Me Do It: Perceptions of Social Media Influence, Risky Behaviors, and Mental Health Among Adolescents

Abstract

Adolescents may perceive that social media exert influence on their beliefs, attitudes, and behaviors. Past research has found that frequent social media use and fear of missing out have related to risk behavior and poor mental health outcomes. Little research has been conducted on the perception of influence of social media by adolescents on mental health outcomes and risky behavior engagement. In this study, 304 adolescents (female = 210 and male = 94) completed an online questionnaire about their use of social media, perceptions of social media influence, fear of missing out, engagement in risky behavior, and depressive and anxiety symptoms. Age, perceptions of social media influence, and fear of missing out were significant predictors of engaging in risky behaviors. Age, being female, perceptions of social media influence, and fear of missing out predicted anxiety symptoms. Being female, perceptions of social media influence, and fear of missing out predicted depressive symptoms. For adolescents, the influence of social media on mental health outcomes and risky behaviors may be based on their perception of influence of social media and fear of missing out rather than just frequency of use.