The Impact of Media on Adolescent Health and Behavior During COVID-19

Abstract

Background: Adolescents belonging to Generation Z have grown up in a technological era where such virtual worlds have become not just a source of entertainment, but also a coping tool during moments of uncertainty. Studies correlating to the controversy of excessive adolescent media use during COVID-19 affirm that adolescents are the most vulnerable groups where media influences their behaviors and attitudes during a crisis. Objective: This study aims to research the impact of media on adolescents' behaviors, health, and attitudes during COVID-19. Design and Method: The qualitative research design of this study is based on synthesized peer-reviewed articles and journals delving into adolescent behaviors noticed with problematic media use during COVID-19. The research performed includes literature from 2020 to 2022. Both benefits and drawbacks of adolescent media use during COVID-19 were studied and reported in the results section. The topics addressed include, but are not limited to, adolescent media use during COVID-19, adolescent mental health during COVID-19, social media usage as a coping tool for feelings of anxiety and loneliness, trajectories of gratitude from online communities during COVID-19, technology fostering adolescent wellbeing during COVID-19, adolescent psychosocial functioning during COVID-19, adolescent problematic media use before and during COVID-19, school practices and adolescent difficulties during remote learning, information overload for generation Z during COVID-19, adolescents with disabilities during COVID-19, adolescent physical activity during COVID-19, adolescent psychiatric disorders during COVID-19, and social environment influence on adolescent behaviors. The question this research aims to explain is: During COVID-19, how did the media impact adolescent health and behavior? Results: The significance of this study is that media use during a traumatic event becomes problematic for adolescents depending on pre-existing behaviors and conditions. Conclusions: The age of adolescents is a vulnerable time when young individuals are figuring out who they are and who they want to be. Several factors, such as the social environment and peer interactions, are crucial and impact behaviors for adolescents. During the COVID-19 lockdown, physical interaction between peers was no longer accessible for adolescents. Instead, adolescents turned to the media to avoid unpleasant feelings of loneliness and be part of a large community where they get to share their experiences. Although the media filled in the missing gap for adolescents' need for peer interaction during COVID-19, psychological distress and poor behaviors were still noticed when media use became problematic, especially for susceptible adolescents with pre-existing psychological conditions. Keywords: COVID-19, screen media use, social cognitive theory, trauma, learning disabilities, psychological disorders, adolescent cognitive development