Understanding the key domains of adolescent social media experience: a parallel Delphi study with young people and key adults

This study aimed to identify the key domains of adolescent social media experience that relate to mental health, and how perspectives on these differ between adolescents and adults. Whilst there has been an explosion in studies looking at the relationship between social media use and mental health, little attention has been paid to the measurement of social media experiences. To fill this gap, we conducted a three-round, online parallel Delphi study with two panels: (1) an adult panel made up of five stakeholder groups (n=39); and (2) an adolescent panel made up of individuals aged 11-15 (n=27). Round 1 used open-text responses to generate 44 statements about adolescent social media experiences, which participants rated their agreement with over two subsequent rounds via iterative, anonymous voting. 18 statements reached consensus, covering ten domains of experience. Statements that reached consensus for both panels related to (1) peer pressure, (2) anxiety, (3) exclusion, (4) body image, (5) self-esteem, and (6) addiction. Statements that reached consensus for the adult panel related to (7) relationships, and (8) validation, and statements that reached consensus for the adolescent panel related to (9) coping/emotion regulation, and (10) empowerment. These findings contribute to a more balanced conceptualisation of social media experience and will guide the development of a psychometric measure. Further research is needed to explore the nuances in adolescent and adult perspectives, including regarding relational experiences, how adolescents feel they can influence others, and adolescents’ conceptualisation of social media as a coping mechanism.