IRP – Social Media On Wellbeing (Band 6)

Resource Description

IRP. The Effect of Music and Social Media on an adolescents Social and Emotional Wellbeing

Abstract
The individual research project focuses on whether adolescents’ social and emotional well-being are positively or negatively impacted by music and social media. Adolescence can be defined as a traditional period of development between youth and maturity, being a child and being an adult. Social media is an increasing platform that is used daily by adolescents, with 94% of adolescents aged 12 to 24 in Australia using social media networks daily. The music dynamic is changing over the generation as an average of 3.4 hours per day an adolescent aged 12 to 24 is listening to music, according to the ‘The Share of Listening Australia Study’.

Social media is often seen as a frequently used platform that transforms the way we communicate with others. Adolescence is a period of an individual’s life where social and emotional wellbeing is critical, and the use of social media and the influence of music can be adverse in some situations. The aim of this project was to prove or disprove the hypothesis, “An adolescent using social media and listening to music will have both a positive and negative impact on their social and emotional wellbeing” and to do so, both primary and secondary data was made use of to find a precise answer. In this research project, a questionnaire was formulated and conducted, which was completed by adolescents of all ages. Secondary data was presented and used in the form of two literature reviews on that believed had a positive and negative impact while the other opposing a positive impact only.

Through primary research, it was found that the common feeling felt by an adolescent while using social media and listening to music were those of positive emotions, with some having negative thoughts from different experiences. Through these methodologies and thorough in-depth research, the hypothesis formulated for this research project was proven, showing that in fact, adolescents social and emotional wellbeing are both positively and negatively impacted through the use of social media platforms and music. Majority of adolescent participants did this by agreeing to a common answer, showing both positive and negative responses.