A Phenomenological Interpretative Exploration of the Causes and Impact of Social Media Use among Indian Adolescents

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Rosamma Alexander1 and Clarissa F. Delariarte2 (The Graduate School, University of Santo Tomas, Manila, Philippines1, Department of Clinical Psychology, The Graduate School, University of Santo Tomas, Manila, Philippines2, De La Salle University, Taft, Manila, Philippines2, Far Eastern University Graduate School, Morayta, Manila, Philippines2)

The new millennium witnessed rapid growth in information technology with the advent of new tools and increased usage across the geographical and populations. Presently social media and internet usage have turned out to be inevitable tools for the efficient functioning of everyday life. This has tremendously increased on the one hand virtual connectivity with eased communication and the risks of addictive use of social media among adolescents on the other hand. This study sought to explore the motives which drive Indian adolescents to social media platforms and the adverse effects on their lives. The current study draws comprehensive awareness into adolescents’ lived experiences regarding social media use through in-depth semi-structured interviews with seven adolescents and a focus group discussion of ten. The data were analyzed in the light of Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA) and found the emerging themes. In this paper, seven superordinate themes were found along with their subordinate themes. They are the causal factors of social media addiction and secondly the adverse effects of the use of social media on adolescents’ lives.