Cultivation Effects of Social Media on Cognitive, Social and Moral Skills of Adolescents in Pakistan

Abstract

This research work aims to find out social, cognitive and moral effects of facebook on adolescents in Pakistan, because about 65% of the country comprises on adolescents. The researcher applied quantitative research methods, while survey was conducted for the collection of data. Structured questionnaires were used for collection of data. Data was collected through purposive sampling method. Data was analyzed by Statistical Package for Social Sciences. The findings revealed that social media, particularly Facebook has cognitive, social and moral effects, which improve their skills to in-touch with relatives, peers and friends to improve social circle, cognitive effects to enhance creativity and mental level during the studies and moral effects where, they bear to respond the slang and abusive language as well as abusive comments on other posts related to their political and religious beliefs. This study also tests the cultivation theory with regard to social media and generated user categories according to their usage of facebook for future researchers. The results of the study justified the objectives and hypotheses of the study, where it has been recommended to parents, teachers and government to regulate the social media in the country to overcome the abuses.