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Social networking sites and psychosocial wellness in Singaporean children and adolescents
Author
Lee, Priscilla Pei Zhu
Supervisor
Khoo, Angeline
Abstract
There have been many studies on the effects of the Internet on people's everyday lives. However, little research has been done on Social Networking Sites (SNS) as such internet-based services have only grown popular in the past few years. The aim of this study is to investigate the relationship between SNS usage frequency and psychosocial wellness in Singapore children and adolescents in the areas of shyness, loneliness, social anxiety, online social comfort and peer support. In the past, studies showed that higher Internet usage was related to negative psychosocial issues. However, this dissertation hypothesizes that children and adolescents with higher SNS usage are less shy and lonely, and have better peer support. A sample of 2805 primary and secondary school students participated in the study. Data was collected using self-report surveys administered in their schools. Results showed that high SNS users, except lower primary students, were less shy, and lower secondary students and high SNS users were less lonely than non SNS users. Females who had high SNS usage reported more peer support than males. Students who had higher SNS usage also reported more online social comfort and males had more online social comfort than females. The results suggest that high SNS usage may not necessarily be harmful, but may possibly be useful in helping people socialize.
Date Issued
2013
Call Number
HM742 Lee
Date Submitted
2013