Social Media and the Developing Teen Identity

This goes without saying: the media plays a monumental role in shaping morals, values, and behaviors in our society. In this particular day in age social media has rendered itself a very powerful socializing agent, especially in our youth. Adolescents are particularly susceptible and sensitive to the messages that the media sends. Thus, these messages become internalized and imprinted in the teenage psyche, shaping overall identity development. These powerful influences can be positive or negative.

Look through some popular social media sites (i.e. Instagram, Snapchat, whatever other media outlet that’s out there). Choose a public figure’s (ex. Kylie Jenner, Greta Thunberg, etc.) page to scroll through. What cultural values do they espouse through their posts and the image they market? Answer the following question:

1. Please discuss in 2-3 paragraphs how the public figure’s influence help shape adolescent self-esteem, values, and overall identity development. CLEARLY connect and support your ideas to the module resources and textbook readings by offering two (2) citations from those sources.

***Please do NOT just write about the positive or negative impact that the public figure has made on society or why you admire him/her. You must reflect on how their example has impacted teenage self-esteem, values, and overall identity development.

*Be sure to identify which social media page you used OR describe the image or attach the image (make sure to include the web page) to your discussion and explain why you chose it.