Proceedings of the 11th International Conference on New Findings in Humanities and Social Sciences
Year: 2024
DOI:
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Adolescents Online Self-Disclosure: A Review
Chloe Min
ABSTRACT:
Online self-disclosure, where individuals share personal information through computer-mediated communication (CMC), is becoming increasingly prevalent, particularly among adolescents who are active on social media platforms. This paper reviews the psychological literature that evidences the factors influencing adolescents’ online self-disclosure, including mental health, age, and gender. Adolescents with anxiety, loneliness, or suicidal tendencies are more likely to disclose personal information online, finding comfort in anonymity. While this behavior can lead to positive outcomes such as increased social support and reduced loneliness, there are risks, including cyberbullying and weakened offline relationships. Gender and age differences also impact self-disclosure patterns, with younger adolescents and girls more likely to engage in online self-disclosure. Despite its benefits, such as enhanced self-esteem and connectedness, excessive online self-disclosure may result in posting regret and negative consequences. The paper highlights the importance of moderation and responsible use of social media to balance the benefits and drawbacks of online self-disclosure. Future research should focus on gender differences and the experiences of marginalized adolescents to further understand the impacts of online disclosure on identity and mental health.
keywords: computer-mediated communication, self-disclosure, social media networks, adolescence, mental health