Predicting Social Networking Site Use and Online Communication Practices among Adolescents: The Role of Access and Device Ownership

Abstract

Given adolescents' heavy social media use, this study examined a number of predictors of adolescent social media use, as well as predictors of online communication practices. Using data collected from a national sample of 467 adolescents between the ages of 13 and 17, results indicate that demographics, technology access, and technology ownership are related to social media use and communication practices. Specifically, females log onto and use more constructive com-munication practices on Facebook compared to males. Additionally, adolescents who own smartphones engage in more constructive online communication practices than those who share regular cell phones or those who do not have access to a cell phone. Overall, results imply that ownership of mobile technologies, such as smartphones and iPads, may be more predictive of social networking site use and online communication practices than general ownership of technology.

Keywords

• adolescents
• cell phones
• demographics
• Facebook
• Internet-capable mobile devices
• online communication practices
• predictors
• social networking sites