Online Social Networking among Clinically Depressed Young People: Scoping Review of Potentially Supportive or Harmful Behaviors

Our paper examines the dynamic of surveillance and empowerment from a theoretical perspective, identifies illustrative empirical examples, and perhaps most importantly investigates the practices that maximize the empowerment potential and minimize threats to that potential.In particular, we seek to understand the ways in which young people have adopted or adapted online media in order to deepen their social experiences, build community, and resist measures that seek to limit their online speech and access to information.We posit that there are four different models of the relationship between surveillance and empowerment in the context of young people on social networking sites (SNS).We introduce each of these with a discussion of the dynamic between surveillance and empowerment in each model and some representative examples.Finally, we explore whether there are particular conditions which permit empowerment to emerge in a surveillance environment.

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An Enhanced Social Networking Intervention for Young People with Active Suicidal Ideation: Safety, Feasibility and Acceptability Outcomes

International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health ◽

10.3390/ijerph17072435 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 17 (7) ◽

pp. 2435 ◽

Cited By ~ 4

Author(s):

Eleanor Bailey ◽

Mario Alvarez-Jimenez ◽

Jo Robinson ◽

Simon D’Alfonso ◽

Maja Nedeljkovic ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Suicidal Ideation ◽

Young People ◽

Social Networking ◽

Controlled Trial ◽

A Priori ◽

Self Report ◽

Online Social Networking ◽

Clinical Effects ◽

Randomised Controlled

Online social networking interventions have potential to support young people who experience suicidal thoughts by specifically addressing interpersonal risk factors for suicide, but may also pose a risk of harm. This uncontrolled, single-group pilot study aimed to evaluate the safety, feasibility, and acceptability of an enhanced online social networking intervention (“Affinity”) among a sample of young people who experienced active suicidal ideation, and to explore potential changes in clinical outcomes and the therapeutic targets of the intervention. Twenty young people with current or recent suicidal ideation who were receiving treatment for depression at a tertiary-level mental health service were given access to Affinity for two months. Participants were assessed at baseline and 8-week follow-up; 90 percent reported clinical suicidal ideation at baseline. A priori criteria related to feasibility, safety and acceptability were satisfied. In terms of potential clinical effects, significant and reliable pre-post improvements were found on self-report outcomes including suicidal ideation. This study provides initial world-first evidence to support the use of an online intervention incorporating social networking as an adjunct to treatment for young people who experience suicidal ideation. The effectiveness of Affinity needs to be evaluated in a randomised controlled trial.

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Youth and Online Social Networking

Advances in Social Networking and Online Communities - Youth Culture and Net Culture ◽

10.4018/978-1-60960-209-3.ch002 ◽

2011 ◽

pp. 17-40 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

Malene Charlotte Larsen ◽

Thomas Ryberg

Keyword(s):

Social Network ◽

Young People ◽

Social Networking ◽

News Media ◽

Social Network Sites ◽

Online Social Networking ◽

Internet Safety ◽

The Public ◽

Public Media ◽

Media Discourses

Often, young people do not have a voice in the public debate on internet safety and online social networking, but as this chapter will demonstrate that does not mean they do not have an opinion. Based on responses from 2400 Danish adolescents to an open-ended questionnaire, the authors discuss their accounts of good and bad experiences with social network sites. Furthermore, they analyse how youth (aged 12 to 18) position themselves as users of social network sites both in relation to very concrete and local experiences from their everyday life, and in relation to public media discourses. They discuss how they portray themselves as ‘responsible young people’ by distancing themselves from the public or “grown up” discourses represented by e.g. their parents or the news media.

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Online Social Networking and Mental Health among Older Adults: A Scoping Review

Canadian Journal on Aging / La Revue canadienne du vieillissement ◽

10.1017/s0714980821000040 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 1-14

Author(s):

Erica Chen ◽

Devin Wood ◽

Renate Ysseldyk

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Older Adults ◽

Life Satisfaction ◽

Social Networking ◽

Social Isolation ◽

Scoping Review ◽

Treatment Options ◽

Well Being ◽

Alternative Methods ◽

Online Social Networking

Abstract As the number of older adults is expected to increase exponentially within the next few decades, loneliness, social isolation, and depression among seniors are growing public health concerns. Although formal treatment options, such as therapy and medication, can be helpful for depression, they can also be expensive and sometimes ineffective. It is therefore important to consider other potential treatment options and social interventions. Alternative methods for addressing mental health issues are especially important for older adults, as they may encounter barriers associated with aging such as limited mobility and decreased social networks. In these circumstances, online social networking may offer a potential “social cure” to alleviate loneliness, social isolation, and depression. The purpose of this scoping review was to gather and summarize the current literature on associations between online social networking and mental health outcomes (e.g., depression, life satisfaction, loneliness) among older adults. An initial search of 3,699 articles resulted in 52 articles that met criteria for inclusion. Five common themes were identified: (1) enhanced communication with family and friends, (2) greater independence and self-efficacy, (3) creation of online communities, (4) positive associations with well-being and life satisfaction, and (5) decreased depressive symptoms. Implications for older adults’ mental health, social connectedness, programs and policies are discussed.

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Youth and Online Social Networking

IT Policy and Ethics ◽

10.4018/978-1-4666-2919-6.ch052 ◽

2013 ◽

pp. 1145-1168

Author(s):

Malene Charlotte Larsen ◽

Thomas Ryberg

Keyword(s):

Social Network ◽

Young People ◽

Social Networking ◽

News Media ◽

Social Network Sites ◽

Online Social Networking ◽

Internet Safety ◽

The Public ◽

Public Media ◽

Media Discourses

Often, young people do not have a voice in the public debate on internet safety and online social networking, but as this chapter will demonstrate that does not mean they do not have an opinion. Based on responses from 2400 Danish adolescents to an open-ended questionnaire, the authors discuss their accounts of good and bad experiences with social network sites. Furthermore, they analyse how youth (aged 12 to 18) position themselves as users of social network sites both in relation to very concrete and local experiences from their everyday life, and in relation to public media discourses. They discuss how they portray themselves as ‘responsible young people’ by distancing themselves from the public or “grown up” discourses represented by e.g. their parents or the news media.

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