Bullying on Social Media Platforms

Scientists from Ditch the Label, an anti-bullying charity, conducted a study to determine how social media can cause anxiety among youth – specifically through cyberbullying on platforms such as Facebook, Snapchat, Twitter, Youtube, and Instagram. Overall, the study found that more than half of the participants had been sent a nasty private message and slightly less than half of participants said they had a nasty comment posted on their profile. For Instagram, however, the researchers found that overall, more Instagram users had been bullied on the platform compared to Facebook, Snapchat, YouTube, and Twitter. The survey also found that there is a connection between intensive social media use and mental ill health – nearly a third of young people reported that social media has a negative impact on how they feel about themselves. Additionally, nearly half of female participants stated that social media had a negative impact on their self-esteem. The study suggests that social media companies need to do more to promote positive mental health and wellbeing – the young participants overwhelmingly stated that they wanted social media companies to do more to promote positive mental health and interactions on their platforms.

The Children’s Society safety net: Cyberbullying’s impact on young people’s mental health – Inquiry report (2017). London, England: The Children’s Society. https://youngminds.org.uk/media/2189/pcr144b_social_media_cyberbullying_inquiry_full_report.pdf

Students Beliefs About American System Influence Outcomes

This study finds that traditionally marginalized youth who grew up believing in the American ideal that hard work and perseverance naturally lead to success show a decline in self-esteem and an increase in risky behaviors during their middle-school years. The study particularly examines how beliefs about the fairness of the American system (system justification) in sixth grade influence trajectories of self‐esteem and behavior among middle school-aged participants. System justification was associated with higher self‐esteem, less delinquent behavior, and better classroom behavior in sixth grade but worse trajectories of these outcomes from sixth to eighth grade. This study is considered to be the first evidence linking preteens’ emotional and behavioral outcomes to their belief in meritocracy – the popular belief that individual merit is always rewarded, and that early adolescence is a critical development period for this process.

Godfrey, E. B., Santos, C. E., & Burson, E. (2017). For better or worse? System‐justifying beliefs in sixth‐grade predict trajectories of self‐esteem and behavior across early adolescence. Child Development. http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/cdev.12854

Social Media Opposition Amongst Younger Generation

The study provides evidence of a growing backlash among young people who wish social media did not exist due to negative aspects such as online abuse and fake news. In assessing students’ opinions on social media, a survey of 5,000 students was conducted by Digital Awareness UK at various schools in England. According to the study, such negative perceptions of social media were due to the impacts it had on the emotional wellbeing of participants. Two thirds of schoolchildren in this study said they would be happy if social media had never been invented, and 71 percent said they had taken temporary digital detoxes to escape it. Nearly half of the participants mentioned receiving abusive comments online. Roughly half of the participants also admitted to being on the edge of addiction and that social media lowered their self-images. Many young people are rebelling against having constant social media access by adopting the outdated “brick” phones that are no longer widely used.

Robertson, C. (2017). Tech control of your future on special media. Paper presented at Headmasters’ and Headmistresses’ Conference, Belfast, Oct. 2-5. http://www.hmc.org.uk/blog/young-people-rebelling-social-media-survey-reveals/

Research on overpraising

Researchers have found that contrary to what some might think, students with low self-esteem can suffer further if they are overpraised. According to the University of Southampton study, praise became "overpraise" when there was an additional word, such as an adverb. For example,"you're good at this" was simple praise, while "you're incredibly good at this" was considered inflated praise. The findings suggested inflated praise could put too much pressure on those with low esteem. 
Brummelman, E., Thomaes, S., Orobio de Castro, B., Overbeek, G., & Bushman, B. J. (in press). “That’s not just beautiful—that’s incredibly beautiful!” The adverse impact of inflated praise on children with low self-esteem. Psychological Science
http://www.independent.co.uk/news/education/education-news/children-with-low-selfesteem-could-be-harmed-if-they-are-lavished-with-too-much-praise-by-parents-study-claims-9039956.html

Body image study

Primary school pupils should be taught how the media use airbrushing to manipulate pictures of women, according to a report revealing that girls as young as seven are worried about their bodies,linking appearance to happiness and self-esteem.
Even at seven, they believe girls who are slim and pretty are more likely to be happy, well-liked, friendly and clever, while those who are overweight or less attractive are more likely to be unhappy, lonely or victims of bullying. Negative comments and teasing by family members about appearance and weight are one of the most damaging influences on girls' self-image, according to the research, which calls on parents and others not to criticise looks and to offer reassurance instead.
Girl Guiding UK. (2007). Girls shout out! Under ten and under pressure. London: Girl Guiding UK.
http://www.girlguiding.org.uk/

Self-efficacy study

Students Learn to Thrive by Not Being Bystanders
According to a recent study, a kid's academic success may depend on whether he believes in his own ability to grow smarter.
(www.statesmanjournal.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=2007705070316)