Digital communications, social support and psychological well-being in adolescents

Concerns about potential adverse socio-psychological consequences have commonly accompanied the introduction of new communication media. These have often been focused on the effects of media on the younger and vulnerable sectors of society. The present research examines on line text-based communications and the use of mobile phones specifically in terms of the role and function of SMS text messages by young people. The role of these media is conceived widely so as not to concentrate on any adverse influences but their use in the normal everyday social experiences of young people. Young people constitute a major sector of the consumers of these digital media. Social support is conceived as an important function of text-based digital communications just as it has been demonstrated to be crucial to a great deal of socio-psychological functioning. In order to assess the impact of the digital media on psychological functioning, the concept of psychological well-being is employed to be indicative of the absence of significant levels of psychological problems such as stress, anxiety, loneliness and depression. [Continues.]