Overview
The purpose of this assignment is to draft and share a comprehensive and complete APA research paper draft for your instructor to provide feedback. The paper is written to report on that research and offer answer(s) to the original research question and substantiate the thesis statement.
Include the following in your 4–5 page (not including the required cover page or reference pages) final paper:
- Thesis Statement: Discuss the thesis statement/present the information and research/draw conclusions (body)
- APA formatted reference page with a minimum of three scholarly references correlated to appropriately used in-text citations for each
- Be sure to plan enough time for proofreading and editing.
For further instruction, click and download the requirements for the Signature Assignment_Draft Instructions
THIS MY TOPIC FOR THIS ASSIGNMENT
Topic
The Impact of Social Media on Adolescent Mental Health
Question: What effects does excessive use of social media throughout adolescence have on mental health outcomes like depression, anxiety, and self-esteem?
Thesis Statement
Excessive use of social media in adolescence negatively affects mental health, in increased anxiety and depression symptoms, and self-esteem/developmental research and intervention should address this issue.
Narrative
I chose this topic because adolescence is a developmental phase that is characterized by identity exploration, peer influences, and sensitivity to emotions, which are impacted when adolescents engage with social media. When discussing the calling of adolescence, Santrock (2021) noted that adolescents were dealing with significant cognitive and socioemotional changes, which would be influenced by outside events like technology and social media in potentially lasting ways. The relevance of this topic is centered around the fact that the use of social media has become almost universal for adolescents, and we must consider the possible risks and negative consequences for mental health and well-being. By understanding this topic, we can illuminate some of the challenges associated with the challenges technology offers and the opportunities it brings forth during this vulnerable developmental stage. In addition, my research will allow me to connect class material, such as Erikson’s stage of identity versus role confusion and socioemotional development, to true-life issues facing youth today. By examining the relationship between social media use and adolescents’ mental health, this paper will contribute to a better understanding of how developmental theorists can help parents, educators, and health professionals effectively support adolescents.