Social Networking in Middle School Ryan Hartmann, Ph.D. Beacon Behavioral Services © 12/2/2013 Ryan Hartmann, Ph.D

© 12/2/2013 Ryan Hartmann, Ph.D.

Social Networking in Middle School

Ryan Hartmann, Ph.D.Beacon Behavioral Services


Text, Pictures, and Video

Private vs. Public

Sharing with a community that does not forget

Sharing


Some teachers and classes utilize social media Listing of tasks Group discussion

Confirm assignments

Seek help from classmates

School Use


Introduction to socializing for shy children

Increased social interaction due to ease

Decrease feelings of isolation

Positive Experiences with Social Media


Virtual Empathy Introverted adolescents learn how to socialize Engage young students in learning

(Rosen 2011) Blogging can benefit teens with social anxiety

Expressive writing and free expression (Boniel-Nissim & Barak, 2013)

Positive Research Findings


No record Pictures Video Posted publically Easily shared directly

The Evolution of Fail!


Self Discipline Increased homework time with poor

performance Checking Facebook associated with lower

grades (Rosen 2011)

Large waste of time Become obsessed with what is posted Sleep problems

Distraction


Frontal Lobe not fully developed until 20’s Responding impulsively

Putting all thoughts online Poor judgment about what is appropriate

Safe Respectful Private

Brain Development


If it is printed, it must be true

Belief that classmates will always focus on event

Lack of understanding that social media cannot be erased, even if forgotten

Actions outside of school can be brought to school

Middle School Brain Traps


Girls are more concerned with privacy

Girls can be more critical or hurtful

Grudges can be held much longer for girls vs. boys

Boys can be more impulsive

Observed Trends


Engage in behavior that is not typical in person

Desensitized to ruthless behavior

Easy to pile on victim with mob mentality

Targets of mean behavior are hurt just as easily

“I’m so much cooler online”


Anxiety over feeling a need to be connected at all times

Do not gain the appropriate skills to have interpersonal interactions in the real world

More about appearance than the experience

Not living in the moment, focused more on sharing it

Negative Consequences


Teens who use Facebook more often show more narcissistic tendencies

Overuse of media and technology by children finds them more prone to psychological disorders

Research Findings (Rosen 2011)


Inexperienced with how to handle Social Media

Distracting and Time Waster

Impulsive and Lack of Understanding

Not learning appropriate social skills

Summary of General Concerns


More Problematic Activities

Cyberbullying or Harassment

Cyberstalking

Sexting


Cyberbullying results in students feeling socially anxious, lonely, sad, frustrated, and helpless (Chung 2011) Worse when anonymous with no rebuttal Victims often become future bullies Mixed research on frequency of cyberbullying

Harassed or stalked online experience higher level of stress and trauma than similar events in person (Carll 2011)

Research Findings


Today Show story about Tennessee teacher’s picture experiment

Thanksgiving day CT Police are investigating Weston High School

Cyberbullying arrest in Manchester, CT

Social Media in the Media


Sophomore girl committed suicide Sexually assaulted Pictures taken Pictures were shared

Middle School Hot List “Bra or No Bra” picture requests

Rolling Stone (Burleigh 2013)


Learning opportunity for everyone Parents need to be educated

Be involved in child’s life

Talk about it early and openly Monitoring programs can be bypassed Passwords? Privacy vs. Safety

Don’t Despair, You Can Make A Difference


Use in moderation Healthy balance

Educate your children and yourself

Have proper supervision from parents Be involved

How to Navigate Social Media


Any Questions?

Ryan Hartmann, Ph.D.860-676-9350 x18

[email protected]


Boniel-Nissim, M. & Barak, A (2013). The therapeutic value of adolescents’ blogging about social-emotional difficulties. Psychological Services, Vol. 10 (3), 333-

341. Burleigh, N. (September 26, 2013). Sexting, Shame, &

Suicide. Rolling Stone, 1192, 48-55. Carll, E. (2011, August). Electronic harassment and

cyberstalking: Intervention, prevention, and public policy. 119th Annual Convention of the American Psychological Association. Lecture conducted from Walter E. Washington Convention Center, Washington, DC.

References


Chung, Y. (2011, August). Effect of emotion regulation for cyberbullied adolescents: A structural equation modeling approach. Poster presented at Annual Convention of American Psychological Association in Washington, DC.

Rossen, L. (2011, August). Poke me: How social networks can both help and harm our kids.

119th Annual Convention of the American Psychological Association. Lecture conducted from Walter E. Washington Convention Center, Washington, DC.

References

Documents

Social Networking in Middle School Ryan Hartmann, Ph.D. Beacon Behavioral Services © 12/2/2013 Ryan Hartmann, Ph.D