#To What Extent Does Social Media Influence the Self-Esteem of Teenagers?

1. #Context of the Topic

1.1. We use social media on a daily basis.

1.2. "Teenagers" is a relatable age group

1.3. Self-Esteem can be easily affected especially during teenage years.

1.3.1. Reference: Jodie Gummow (2014), "7 Telltale Signs Social Media Is Killing Your Self- Esteem" , Website: http://www.alternet.org/personal-health/7-telltale-signs-social-media-killing-your-self-esteem

2. Possible #Sources of #Information

2.1. Teenagers who use social media frequently

2.1.1. Reference: Amanda Lenhart (2015), "Teens, Social Media & Technology Overview 2015" ,Website: http://www.pewinternet.org/2015/04/09/teens-social-media-technology-2015/

2.2. Traditional Media, such as news on TV, magazines, newspapers (ironically)

2.3. Internet information sources: Blogs, Internet Journals and Articles

2.4. Academic research journals and articles.

3. #Rationale and #Aims of the Research

3.1. Rationale

3.1.1. Social media is tangible but the effects on self-esteem are not tangible - it is worth studying the effects in greater detail.

3.1.2. The results of the study may point to other effects of social media, or other contributors to perceptions of self-esteem.

3.1.2.1. Reference: Brian Jung, (Chron) "The Negative Effect of Social Media on Society and Individuals", Website: http://smallbusiness.chron.com/negative-effect-social-media-society-individuals-27617.html

3.1.3. In their impressionable years, teenagers can be easily influenced by media, and social media can have a powerful impact.

3.1.3.1. Reference: Aulia Maharani Karli (2014), "How Strongly Can Social Media Influence and Control People’s Lives?", Website: http://www.voicesofyouth.org/en/posts/how-strongly-can-social-media-influence-and-control-people-s-lives-

3.2. Aims

3.2.1. A better understanding of the intangible effects of social media on teenagers can help inform health professionals, parents and guardians so that they can better guide usage.

4. #Primary and #Secondary Sources

4.1. Primary Sources

4.1.1. Surveys with Teenagers

4.1.2. Interviews with Teenagers

4.2. Secondary Sources

4.2.1. Academic research articles and journals

5. #Obstacles to Research

5.1. Insufficient manpower - More team members will be needed to conduct the project as the scope can be wide

5.2. Need for critical, random mass of respondants to make results represntative

5.3. It is very hard to gauge sentiments such as Self-Esteem, and very hard to gauge sentiment changes as well.

6. #Strategies to Improve Research

6.1. Seek the guidance of experts

6.2. Limit the scope of the research/define the research question more narrowly.