A new study co-authored by Sophie Janicke-Bowles, an associate professor at Chapman University’s School of Communication, sheds light on the role that new and traditional media play in promoting and affecting character development, emotions, prosocial behavior and well-being (aka happiness). ) in youth.
His research and teaching focus on positive psychology, media and new communication technologies, and media and spirituality. The study, published April 13 in Society for Research in Child Development (SRCD), investigates how adolescents perceive and participate in digital communication, including connectedness, positive social comparison, authentic self-presentation, civil participation, and self-control.
“This was an incredible research study to be a part of, as we all crave more nuanced answers about how digital technologies affect our children,” Janicke-Bowles said.
Janicke-Bowles’ research contributes to the understanding of digital flourishing (positive social media experiences) among adolescents, highlighting the importance of supportive parental mediation and digital skills to promote positive digital engagement. Moving forward, interventions aimed at improving digital flourishing should consider the role of parental guidance and support in shaping adolescents’ online experiences.
- Teens who thrive in their digital communication over time are more likely to have tech-savvy parents who actively support their children in communicating positively online.
- For teens who thrive less digitally, their self-control over digital communication declines.
- To increase digital flourishing, interventions can aim to help adolescents control their digital communication and encourage parents to take an active role in their young adults’ digital communication.
These findings underscore the importance of parental influence and support in fostering positive digital communication experiences among adolescents.
In addition to her recent research, Janicke-Bowles has a distinguished record of exploring the intersection of media and psychology. As a member of a research team at Florida State University and Penn State University, she received a $1.9 million grant from the John Templeton Foundation to investigate the impact of media content on self-transcendent emotions. Her academic background, which ranges from clinical and media psychology in Germany to mass communication in the United States, underscores her commitment to understanding the profound effects of media on human experiences.