THE IMPACT OF SOCIAL MEDIA ON INTERPERSONAL COMMUNICATION SKILLS IN ADOLESCENTS: A COMPARATIVE STUDY

Abstract

This study aims to explore the intricate relationship between social media usage and the development of interpersonal communication skills in adolescents, addressing a significant gap in current research. Employing a mixed-methods approach, the study involved quantitative analysis of social media usage patterns and face-to-face communication skills, alongside qualitative insights gathered from interviews and surveys. The participant group comprised adolescents aged 13 to 18, with data collected on demographic variables to enable a nuanced analysis. The quantitative analysis revealed a negative correlation between the amount of time adolescents spend on social media and their face-to-face communication skills. Subgroup analyses further indicated variations in this impact across different age groups and genders. Qualitative data yielded themes such as comfort with online interaction, challenges with face-to-face interaction, and a preference for digital communication, providing a deeper understanding of adolescents' communication experiences within the context of social media. The findings suggest that increased social media use may be inversely related to the development of interpersonal communication skills in adolescents. This has significant implications for parents, educators, and policymakers in terms of guiding and balancing adolescents' social media use. Acknowledging the limitations of self-reported data and cross-sectional study design, the research underscores the need for longitudinal studies and more diverse participant samples. Future research is recommended to further explore the causal relationships, the impacts of specific types of social media engagement, and the development of digital communication skills alongside traditional ones. This study provides valuable insights into the complex dynamics between social media usage and interpersonal communication skills in adolescents, emphasizing the need for a balanced digital media approach and ongoing research in this evolving field.