77.0% of high school students reported frequent social media use, with significant differences by sex, sexual identity, and racial and ethnic identity. Frequent use is associated with higher bullying victimization and mental health issues. Social problems: Because such a large proportion of students are affected, this is not an individual matter but a collective social issue. Sociology frames cyberbullying and its mental health impacts as public concerns requiring institutional responses (schools, families, policy, tech companies).

46% of U.S. teens ages 13 to 17 have experienced at least one of six cyberbullying behaviors, with name-calling being the most commonly reported. Social problems: Certain groups of teens (based on gender, race, or sexuality) may be targeted more, making this also an issue of power and social hierarchy.

21% of parents claim their children have been cyberbullied, with the majority of these incidents occurring from January to July 2020. Social problems: Cyberbullying is not only an individual experience but a societal issue that affects groups of people at the same time. By looking at parents’ collective claims, sociology identifies it as a public concern rather than a private problem.

67% of teenagers in the U.S. have experienced some form of cyberbullying on social media platforms, with Instagram, Snapchat, and TikTok being the top three platforms. Social problems: Because such a high percentage of teens are affected, it becomes a societal issue, not just an individual problem. Sociology asks: how should schools, parents, policymakers, and platforms address it?

12% of teens who were cyberbullied in 2024–2025 had suicidal thoughts related to the experience. Social problems: When 12% of cyberbullied teens report suicidal thoughts, it shows that this is not just a private issue but a social problem—a pattern affecting a large group in society. Sociology studies how issues like bullying become public health concerns that require collective solutions (policies, school programs, community awareness).

These statistics highlight the need for increased awareness and intervention to combat the growing problem of cyberbullying on social media platforms.

https://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/volumes/73/su/su7304a3.htm

At the same time, conflict theory suggests that social media can reinforce inequalities in friendships. For example, access to technology and digital literacy may privilege certain groups, while others are excluded from building these online networks. Symbolic interactionists also point out that much of friendship on social media is shaped by symbols—likes, comments, and followers—which can become measures of social worth. This may lead to friendships that appear strong online but lack depth in face-to-face interactions. The curated presentation of the self, as Goffman’s dramaturgical theory explains, can create pressure to maintain an image that is not entirely authentic, straining the quality of relationships. Research on “digital stress” among adolescents has shown that these pressures often lead to more friendship conflict over time, reinforcing how online environments can negatively affect relationships.

Overall, the sociology of social media friendships reveals both positive and negative dimensions. On one hand, social media expands networks, builds new forms of social capital, and provides support across distances. On the other hand, it can weaken authenticity, increase competition, and reflect broader social inequalities. By examining these effects through sociological theories and recent studies, we gain insight into how digital technology continues to transform the meaning and practice of friendship in contemporary society.

References (APA 7th ed.)

Bayer, J. B., Ellison, N. B., Schoenebeck, S. Y., Brady, E. L., & Falk, E. B. (2023). Digital stress and adolescent friendships: A longitudinal study of online social expectations and conflict. Journal of Youth and Adolescence, 52(6), 1212–1226. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10964-023-01701-5

Liu, D., Baumeister, R. F., Yang, C., & Hu, B. (2024). Social media use, social capital, and well-being: A social network mediation model. BMC Psychology, 12(1), 278. https://doi.org/10.1186/s40359-024-02278-4

experienced cyberbullying, while about 1 in 6 has been a perpetrator. Among tweens 

aged 9 to 12, about 1 in 5 has been involved in cyberbullying. 

Platforms: Cyberbullying occurs on various social media platforms, with YouTube, 

Snapchat, TikTok, and Facebook being the most common.

Demographics: Adolescents and young adults are particularly at risk, with females 

reporting higher victimization rates than 

males. 

Impact of Cyberbullying

Mental Health: Victims of cyberbullying often experience increased levels of anxiety, depression, and stress. The psychological effects can be long-lasting, affecting their well-being both during and after the bullying incidents.

Educational Consequences: Cyberbullying can negatively impact academic performance, leading to decreased attendance and lower grades, especially when bullying occurs both online and in school.

Broader Effects: The consequences of cyberbullying extend beyond the individual, affecting families and communities. It can lead to feelings of isolation and hopelessness among victims, increasing the risk of self-harm and suicidal thoughts.

https://www.pewresearch.org/internet/2022/12/15/teens-and-cyberbullying-2022/

Reference

Nurse Next Door. (n.d.). Using Social Media to Stay Connected with Your Parents & Grandparents. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LlcQlxSkz3Q

Reference

MOHXNED. (n.d.). Socially Disconnected: Social media & The Elderly (Official Documentary). YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I1fL_X9lAcE

- Rosalinda Arteaga

Social media has fundamentally changed parenting, forcing parents to become digital literacy mediators. The parental role now includes navigating several new challenges:

• Increased Monitoring: Parents must constantly track online activity to ensure safety and manage risks like cyberbullying.

• "Sharenting": The common practice of sharing children's lives online. This raises concerns about the child’s privacy and their future digital footprint.

• Risk Management: Protecting children from cyberbullying and problematic social media use, often leading to the need for strict tech-free zones.

Psychological Links & Examples

The impact of this landscape is tied to two core psychological concepts:

• Parental Efficacy (Belief in Parenting Ability): The complexity of online issues can lower a parent’s belief in their ability to cope, increasing parenting stress and anxiety.

  • Everyday Example: A parent who lacks digital skills feels helpless to regulate their teen’s screen time, causing anxiety and leading to a purely restrictive (rather than supportive) mediation style.

• Social Norms & Comparison: Social media exposes parents to idealized, "perfect" portrayals of other families. This social comparison can heighten parental anxiety.

  • Everyday Example: A mother constantly sees posts of elaborate family vacations from her network, making her feel like a failing parent compared to the online standard.

The bond between a parent and child is directly impacted by technoference, the intrusion of technology into face-to-face family interactions. Psychologically, this interference disrupts the development of a secure attachment bond. When a parent is habitually distracted by their device, they become less responsive to their child's emotional and physical cues. This perceived lack of responsiveness can lead to the child feeling ignored, creating emotional distance and communication barriers within the family unit.

The Attachment Theory Perspective

From the perspective of Attachment Theory (your key psychological link), consistent distraction by a parent's phone means they are not acting as a consistent "secure base" for the child. This lack of responsiveness can foster an insecure attachment pattern, as the child learns their primary caregiver is unreliable or unavailable when needed. For example, studies show that when parents use their phones excessively around their children, the children exhibit less positive affect and more distress.

Social Media as a Bridge

However, social media use is not exclusively negative; it can also be a positive bonding tool. For instance, using social media (like video calls or family group chats) to stay connected across geographical distance helps families maintain emotional bonds. Shared media use, such as a parent and child watching a funny video together, can serve as a modern form of shared play and emotional connection.

This is a daily battle. When a parent demands a teen put down their phone, the fight that follows reveals issues of self-regulation and boundary setting. The friction strains communication and causes unnecessary tension.

2. The Isolated Child

Technoference is the issue here. A child repeatedly seeks a parent's attention while the parent scrolls. This consistent distraction makes the child feel unimportant, leading to emotional distance and contributing to an insecure attachment pattern.

3. Finding Support Online

The positive psychological link is social support. A new parent struggling with isolation finds community in an online forum. This virtual support network provides validation, advice, and boosts the parent's efficacy (their confidence in parenting).

4. The Privacy Battle of "Sharenting"

This touches on the child's identity development and privacy. A parent posts an embarrassing childhood photo of their 15-year-old. The teen feels betrayed, damaging trust and making them reluctant to share personal details with the parent in the future.

Tipple, C., & Branch-Smith, C. (2025). Parenting in the age of social media: The buffering effect of parental self-efficacy on the relationship between parental social media use and parent child-relationship quality. Acta Psychologica, 258, 105235. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.actpsy.2025.105235

UNICEF. (n.d.). What you need to know about “sharenting”. Retrieved November 24, 2025, from https://www.unicef.org/parenting/child-care/sharenting

Reference

Galinkala, P., Atkinson, E., & Campos-Castillo, C. (2024). Age Variation Among US Adults' Social Media Experiences and Beliefs About Who Is Responsible for Reducing Health-Related Falsehoods: Secondary Analysis of a National Survey. JMIR aging, 7, e56761. https://doi.org/10.2196/56761

Reference

Bielby, D., Bardo, A. R., Adams, R. G., Balazs, A. L., Barrett, A., Baumann, S., Claessens, N., de Laat, K., Gunderson, J. (2014). Aging, Media, and Culture. United Kingdom: Lexington Books.

-Leticia Vasquez

Is Social Media REALLY Ruining Your Marriage? [Video]. (2023, March 3). YouTube. https://youtu.be/b9cwbLZz2hk

People today spend a significant amount of time online—often over two hours per day (Clement, 2020). Research shows that increased dependence on digital platforms can strongly influence how individuals think, feel, and behave within their relationships (Joo & Teng, 2017). Studies also suggest that heavy social media use may be associated with lower emotional well-being and reduced satisfaction in close partnerships (Christensen, 2018). These findings show that concerns about social media affecting a relationship are valid and worth discussing.

Although social media can create challenges, it also offers meaningful benefits. Many people report feeling supported through online communities, and digital communication allows couples who live apart or travel often to stay connected. Social platforms also provide access to helpful content from mental-health and relationship professionals, offering ideas and tools that can strengthen communication and closeness.

However, difficulties arise when partners interpret online behavior differently, have unclear digital boundaries, or begin comparing their relationship to idealized online posts. People often only see “highlight reels,” not the struggles and private moments behind them. This can trigger insecurity or unrealistic expectations. Because each person assigns different meanings to likes, messages, or posts based on personal experience and culture, misunderstandings can develop when expectations are not clearly discussed.

Healthy digital habits can help couples navigate these issues. Setting aside phone-free time, checking in before posting about the relationship, avoiding snooping, and behaving online with the same respect shown in person all support trust. Since tone and intention are harder to read online, giving each other the benefit of the doubt is important. Most importantly, couples benefit from ongoing conversations about how social media influences their connection, comfort levels, and personal boundaries.

Social media may seem trivial, but it often brings up real emotions. Talking openly about expectations and boundaries can strengthen trust and help partners create a sense of emotional and relational safety. With communication, understanding, and clear agreements, couples can navigate the digital world together without letting it undermine their bond.

📚 References (APA 7th Edition)

Christensen, R. (2018). Social media use and relationship satisfaction. Brigham Young University.
Clement, J. (2020). Daily social media usage worldwide in 2019. Statista.
Joo, T. M., & Teng, C. E. (2017). Media dependency and online behavior. Journal of Internet Psychology, 36–45.
The Gottman Institute. (n.d.). The impact of social media on relationships. https://www.gottman.com/blog/the-impact-of-social-media-on-relationships/