Honors Program
Document Type
Thesis
Date of this Version
Spring 3-25-2024
Citation
Skare, C. 2024. Adolescent Algorithm Addiction. Undergraduate Honors Thesis. University of Nebraska - Lincoln.
Abstract
There’s no question that online Social Networking Sites have contributed to the sharp decline in mental health among adolescents. This thesis explores a number of Addictive Online Behaviors that have contributed to negative mental health outcomes, namely examining at total screentime, level of engagement, and total number of accounts one has in relation to phone addiction and social media addiction. It was found that total screentime and total number of accounts were more strongly correlated with social media addiction than phone addiction. Additionally, differences in app usage among gender was explored, finding that boys favored YouTube and Discord while Girls preferred Snapchat and Tik Tok, with Instagram being relatively neutral across gender.
In addition to these statistical analyses, significant cultural and critical analyses brought together a vast collection of sources to help explain from whence these effects emerged. Analysis includes the work of postmodern philosophers like Foucault and Deleuze’s critiques of the “control” society, as well as modern internet thinkers like CJ the X and Mia Cole who explore the information-advertising complex and concepts like internet corruption. Additionally, critical analysis of the Black Mirror episode Nosedive as well as the A24 film Eighth Grade were included to show narratives of these forces at play. A final conclusion section attempts to offer some guidance on how to alleviate some of this systemic pressure on oneself that has led to these Addictive Online Behaviors among Adolescents.
Comments
Copyright Canyon Skare 2024.