Study Overview
- Title:
- The impact of social media on cyber behaviors among younger people: A systematic review
- Study is 3ie funded:
- Yes
- Study ID:
- RIDIE-STUDY-ID-67342a22b916a
- Initial Registration Date:
- 11/12/2024
- Last Update Date:
- 11/03/2024
- Study Status:
- Completed
- Location(s):
- United Arab Emirates
- Abstract:
This study investigates the influence of social media on cyber behaviors among young people, focusing on cyberbullying, victimization, and aggression. Using a systematic review of 40 empirical studies involving participants aged 11-24, results revealed that younger adolescents and females are particularly vulnerable, with cyberbullying being the most prevalent cyber behavior. Facebook and Instagram are identified as the platforms most associated with harmful behaviors. Key influential factors discussed include social influences like peer pressure, emotional responses such as anger and sadness, behavioral patterns including usage frequency, and cognitive dimensions like perceptions of online behavior. The findings suggest the need for digital literacy programs, targeted interventions, and enhanced content moderation. Future research should address broader demographics and less-explored cyber behaviors for more effective prevention.
- Registration Citation:
- Categories:
- Health, Nutrition, and Population
Information and Communications Technology
Social Protection
- Additional Keywords:
- social media, cyber behaviors, young people, adolescents, influential factors
- Secondary ID Number(s):
Principal Investigator(s)
- Name of First PI:
- Areej ElSayary
- Affiliation:
- Zayed University
- Name of Second PI:
- Affiliation:
Study Sponsor
- Name:
- Zayed University
- Study Sponsor Location:
- United Arab Emirates
Research Partner
- Name of Partner Institution:
- na
- Type of Organization:
- Location:
- United Arab Emirates
Intervention Overview
- Intervention:
This study systematically reviews the existing literature on the impact of social media on cyber behaviors among young people to identify key trends, risk factors, and theoretical frameworks that can inform future research and interventions. This study will provide a comprehensive understanding of these dynamics, contributing valuable insights for developing targeted interventions and policies that promote safer and more supportive online environments for young people.
- Private Intervention Details:
- Theory of Change:
Cyber behaviors are complex and influenced by social, emotional, cognitive, and behavioral factors that affect young people’s overall well-being. Many theoretical frameworks highlight the importance of understanding the multiple levels of influence on an individual’s behavior. They provide a robust foundation for examining the complex and multifaceted nature of cyber behaviors among young people. By integrating insights from Social Cognitive Theory, Ecological Theory, the Theory of Planned Behavior, Routine Activity Theory, General Strain Theory, Attachment Theory, and Problem Behavior Theory, this study aims to offer a comprehensive analysis that can inform more targeted and effective interventions.
- Multiple Treatment Arms Evaluated?
- No
Implementing Agency
- Name of Organization:
- Zayed University
- Type of Organization:
- Research Institution/University
Program Funder
- Name of Organization:
- Zayed University
- Type of Organization:
- Research Institution/University
Intervention Timing
- Intervention or Program Started at time of Registration?
- Yes
- Start Date:
- 09/01/2023
- End Date:
- 06/30/2024
Evaluation Method Overview
- Primary (or First) Evaluation Method:
- Other (specify)
- Other (not Listed) Method:
- Systematic Review
- Additional Evaluation Method (If Any):
- Other (not Listed) Method:
Method Details
- Details of Evaluation Approach:
- Private Details of Evaluation Approach:
- Outcomes (Endpoints):
Results revealed that younger adolescents and females are particularly vulnerable, with cyberbullying being the most prevalent cyber behavior. Facebook and Instagram are identified as the platforms most associated with harmful behaviors. Key influential factors discussed include social influences like peer pressure, emotional responses such as anger and sadness, behavioral patterns including usage frequency, and cognitive dimensions like perceptions of online behavior.
- Unit of Analysis:
- Systematic Review
- Hypotheses:
This study seeks to answer the following research questions:
- How does social media use impact the prevalence of cyber behaviors among young people?
- Which social media platforms are associated with the most harmful cyber behaviors in young people?
- Are certain demographic groups more likely to experience cyber behaviors through social media?
- What are the influential effects of cyber behaviours on young people who use social media?
- What theories are used to examine social media’s effect on young people’s cyber behaviours?
- Unit of Intervention or Assignment:
- Number of Clusters in Sample:
- 1
- Number of Individuals in Sample:
- 40
- Size of Treatment, Control, or Comparison Subsamples:
- na
Supplementary Files
- Analysis Plan:
- Other Documents:
Outcomes Data
- Description:
- Systematic Review
- Data Already Collected?
- Yes
- Data Previously Used?
- No
- Data Access:
- Restricted -- Access requires a formal approval process
- Data Obtained by the Study Researchers?
- Data Approval Process:
- Although this study is a systematic review, ethical approval was made from the University with Ethics Application Number: ZU23_053_F
- Approval Status:
- Yes-obtained approval and have received the data
Treatment Assignment Data
- Participation or Assignment Information:
- No
- Description:
- This is a systematic review paper
- Data Obtained by the Study Researchers?
- Yes
- Data Previously Used?
- No
- Data Access:
- Restricted -- Access requires a formal approval process
- Data Obtained by the Study Researchers?
- Data Approval Process:
- Although this study is a systematic review, ethical approval was made from the University with Ethics Application Number: ZU23_053_F
- Approval Status:
- Yes-obtained approval and have received the data
Data Analysis
- Data Analysis Status:
- Yes
Study Materials
- Upload Study Materials:
Registration Category
- Registration Category:
- Non-Prospective, Category 4: Data for measuring impacts have been obtained/collected by the research team and analysis for this evaluation has started
Completion Overview
- Intervention Completion Date:
- Data Collection Completion Date:
- Unit of Analysis:
- Clusters in Final Sample:
- Total Observations in Final Sample:
- Size of Treatment, Control, or Comparison Subsamples:
Findings
- Preliminary Report:
- Preliminary Report URL:
- Summary of Findings:
- Paper:
- Paper Summary:
- Paper Citation:
Data Availability
- Data Availability (Primary Data):
- Date of Data Availability:
- Data URL or Contact:
- Access procedure:
Other Materials
- Survey:
- Survey Instrument Links or Contact:
- Program Files:
- Program Files Links or Contact:
- External Link:
- External Link Description:
- Description of Changes:
Study Stopped
- Date:
- Reason: