Navigating the Digital Age- The Impact of Social Media on Teen Behavior and Well-Being
Adolescence is a phase in human growth and development that is characterized by rapid changes in physical, cognitive, and psychological functionalities. The age range for a human adolescent is between the ages of 10 and 19. Whereas physiological development points towards optimal health and functionalities among adolescents, considerable morbidity and mortality have been evident among individuals in this phase of life. The morbidity and mortality seen among adolescents are majorly preventable and are attributable to behavioral pattern changes that increase their susceptibility to preventable causes of morbidity and mortality (Loke et al., 2016). Such behaviors as drug use, sexual activity, and physical inactivity have seen an exponential rise among adolescents and are majorly influenced by peer pressure among these individuals. This paper seeks to discuss the effects of peer pressure on adolescents. Hire our assignment writing services in case your assignment is devastating you.
Peer pressure remains a concerning issue in various social cycles. This issue is considerably concerning among adolescents and younger adults. Peer pressure refers to the act of getting involved in an activity or adopting a way of life in order to be accepted or valued by members of your cycle or friends. Whereas positive peer pressure has been evident and has been implicated in part in an individual’s motivation to task and better living, negative peer pressure remains of great concern amongst some people. Positive peer pressure has informed the adoption of various healthy behaviors or practices among individuals. Activities such as learning a new skill and practicing healthy living, as informed by friends or other individuals within a specific social cycle, are examples of positive peer pressure.
Negative peer pressure has been implicated in the initiation of various antisocial and antimoral behaviors. Negative peer pressure has resulted in abuse of drugs, increased sexually related activities, indulgence in risky behaviors, and breaking of rules, among others. Teenagers are the most incriminated in these peer pressure-attributable activities. This is due to their higher curiosity that is relatable to the psychosocial and cognitive transitions that they experience at these ages (Blöte et al., 2016). The impact of these actions is often worse, with incidences of morbidity and preventable mortality being apparent.
Various external stressors are linkable to peer pressure. These stressors include the desire to belong to a certain social class, the fear of being left out or of being rejected by persons perceived as friends, the desire to experiment with new things in life, improper or inadequate parental guidance, and exposure to behaviors considered as socially immoral among others (Bae, 2017). The desire to belong to various social classes is specifically common among adolescents and younger adults. This desire is usually informed by several factors ranging from social media to the immediate social groups of an individual. Social media, in particular, has been found to significantly shape the lives and behaviors of individuals. Various social media platforms have been utilized by individuals to flaunt their social lives. This, in some instances, places considerable pressure on some individuals who may want to emulate what they see on these platforms. The effect, in some cases, is often bad and may affect the individual life and well-being.
Peer pressure and the related external stressors to peer pressure can be a common finding upon assessment of adolescent patients presenting with various mental disorders. Comprehensive screening is therefore necessary in this regard and forms an essential component in designing their treatment plans. Various assessment strategies are utilizable in the screening of peer pressure as well as the external stressors related to peer pressure. Strategies that interrogate the patient’s gender, age, range of activity, and individual needs are crucial (Knight et al., 2014). The global Appraisal Of Individual Needs tool, as well as the Teen Addiction Severity Index and Comprehensive Adolescent Severity Inventory tools, are important in elucidating information that may aid in their treatment.
Information on individual social cycles, their history of drug use, their tendency to break the rules, and opinions on emerging contemporary issues such as gender-based violence can additionally be used during the assessment. This information gives a general overview of the individual as well as their propensity to adopt negative behaviors upon being influenced by their peers. Interrogation of some of these components may sometimes present ethical difficulties as they may infringe on the patient’s privacy. Ethical consideration of confidentiality is therefore required in this regard. The patient should be made aware that the information they are sharing will remain confidential and not be used in any way to harm them.
Adolescents encountering external stressors relatable to their peer pressure can be alleviated from their suffering by adopting several support options. Paying keen attention to an individual’s feelings is key in combating peer pressure and relatable external stressors. This entails analyzing the presented scenario and determining its suitability to self. If the scenario is not suitable upon analysis, then the best thing to do is to abandon it. It is necessary to inform the involved peers how you feel about the scenario and that you have reservations about it.
Parental guidance is also necessary in combating external stressors. Parents and guardians remain to be important pillars in adolescent life. Their active participation in these adolescents’ lives is thus necessary. Their input in informing critical decisions associated with transition phases of life, such as adolescence, as well as their moral and ethical support, may confer significant benefits in preventing otherwise unsocial behaviors attributable to peer pressure. Planning ahead is also important in adolescent life. Planning ahead entails having an anticipatory response and exit strategy when they encounter these stressors. This may require an individualized approach but may also draw support from the parents. Planning ahead will inform these individuals of the course of action. Having friends with similar life goals and objectives may also confer considerable benefits in combating these stressors. Friends form important sources of mental and psychological support that not only enable an individual to do the right thing but alert them whenever they are deviating from doing the right thing. All these strategies remain viable support options for adolescents encountering external stressors relatable to peer pressure.
Peer pressure remains a concerning issue among adolescents. External stressors, such as the desire to belong to a certain group, are often relatable to peer pressure. Adequate assessment of a patient presenting to healthcare settings for these stressors is necessary as it informs the therapeutic approach that may be utilized in their management. Support options exist that can alleviate these individuals’ suffering. Parents are an example of these support options, as discussed above.
References
Bae, S. (2017). The influence of strain factors, social control factors, self-control and computer use on adolescent cyber delinquency: Korean National Panel Study. Children And Youth Services Review, 78, 74-80. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.childyouth.2017.05.008
Blöte, A., Miers, A., & Westenberg, P. (2016). Adolescent Social Anxiety and Substance Use: The Role of Susceptibility to Peer Pressure. Child Development Research, 2016, 1-8. https://doi.org/10.1155/2016/9468972
Knight, D., Becan, J., Landrum, B., Joe, G., & Flynn, P. (2014). Screening and Assessment Tools for Measuring Adolescent Client Needs and Functioning in Substance Abuse Treatment. Substance Use & Misuse, 49(7), 902-918. https://doi.org/10.3109/10826084.2014.891617
Loke, A., Mak, Y., & Wu, C. (2016). The association of peer pressure and peer affiliation with the health risk behaviors of secondary school students in Hong Kong. Public Health, 137, 113-123. https://doi.org/10.1016/
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Question 
Research the range of contemporary issues teenagers face today. In a 500-750-word paper, choose one issue (besides teen pregnancy) and discuss its effect on adolescent behavior and overall well-being. Include the following in your submission:
Navigating the Digital Age- The Impact of Social Media on Teen Behavior and Well-Being
Describe the contemporary issue and explain what external stressors are associated with this issue.
Outline assessment strategies to screen for this issue and external stressors during an assessment for an adolescent patient. Describe what additional assessment questions you would need to ask and define the ethical parameters regarding what you can and cannot share with the parent or guardian.
Discuss support options for adolescents encountering external stressors. Include specific support options for the contemporary issue you presented.
Prepare this assignment according to the guidelines found in the APA Style Guide, located in the Student Success Center. An abstract is not required.