Usage Of Social Media Trends Among Adolescents: A Demographic Perspective

Abstract

Over the recent years, Social media has attracted millions of users, its usage has enhanced generally throughout the world and many of them have integrated these sites into their daily practices for various reasons and purposes. India is on second rank in terms of number of internet users in the world, with a versatile social media and mobile audience. The present study examined social media usage among adolescents in relation to demographic variables on a sample of 1200 students in four districts of Punjab. Data was collected by using social media usage scale prepared by investigator herself. The findings of the study illuminate many noteworthy trends. Firstly, a significant difference in social media usage found between boys and girls, indicating that gender plays a role in shaping adolescents' engagement with these platforms. Secondly, there is a notable difference in social media usage patterns among students from urban and rural areas, underlining the influence of geographic location on adolescents' digital habits. These findings of the present study contribute to our understanding of the evolving landscape of social media usage among adolescents in the context of India, a nation with a substantial online presence. The study underscores the need to consider demographic factors such as gender and geographic location when examining social media usage among adolescents. This knowledge can be valuable for educators, parents, and policymakers as they seek to navigate the implications of social media usage for the holistic development and well-being of young individuals in India.