Differences between Active and Passive Social Media Usage on Well-Being in Reference to Adolescents

Abstract

Today in this fast pacing world and in the age of digital era, internet is easily accessible to every human being. Many researchers in the past have explored that social media is directly or indirectly affecting the physiological and mental health of an individual. Active users are the ones who are actively involved in the social media sites whereas the passive users are the ones who are not actively participating yet observing the other’s profiles and posts. The aim of this paper is to identify the significant difference between genders (male and female) on well-being in reference to adolescents and significant difference between active and passive social media users on the well-being in reference to adolescents. The total sample size taken was N=120, which consists of 60 males and 60 females of both the groups that is active and passive social media users. Random purposive sampling was used for collecting data. The research design for the study is 2x2 factorial design. The independent variables of the study are Active and passive social media users whereas the dependent variables for the study are dimensions of well-being given by Carol Ryff i.e. autonomy, environmental mastery, personal growth, positive relations, purpose in life, self-growth. Self-made online survey was done for collecting the sample for active and passive social media users and Ryff’s well-being scale was used in the study. The analysis of data was done by using descriptive analysis and ANOVA. The findings of the study suggest that there was a significant difference between active and passive social media users on well-being also there was a significant difference between genders (male and female) on well-being in reference to adolescents.