Phase 1 – Group 5

TITLE: THE IMPACT OF SOCIAL MEDIA ON MENTAL HEALTH IN ADOLESCENTS

A. AUDIENCE/PURPOSE PROFILE
 AUDIENCE IDENTITY AND NEEDS
 Primary reader(s): Clinical Psychologist
 Secondary reader(s): Research Assistant
 Relationship:
- Client: Local Health Department

 INTENDED USE OF DOCUMENT

Perform a task:

 Make informed decisions about adopting mental health interventions for

adolescents.

Reader’s prior knowledge about this topic:

 Knows the basics yet needs a deeper knowledge.

Additional information needed:

 Research findings on specific social media sites and their consequences, as

well as statistics on teenage mental health trends.

Reader’s probable questions:


What are the specific mental health issues associated with social media use?

Do these impacts alter according to age or gender?
What therapies or techniques have been helpful in minimizing harmful
effects?
 AUDIENCE’S PROBABLE ATTITUDE AND PERSONALITY

Attitude toward topic:

 Concerned and curious about the subtleties of the interaction between social
media and mental health.

Probable objections:

 None anticipated.

Probable attitude toward reader:

 Receptive, as Clinical l Psychologist is an expert in the field.

Persons most affected by this document:

 Healthcare providers, educators, policymakers, parents, and teenagers

themselves.
 Phase 1 – Group 5

Temperament:

 They are cautious and seek evidence-based information to help them make
judgments.

Probable reaction to this document:

 Approval, with possibilities for additional investigation or discussion.

Risk of alienating anyone:

 Minimal, as the text is intended to provide helpful and objective

perspectives.

 AUDIENCE EXPECTATIONS ABOUT THIS DOCUMENT

Reason document originated:

 Audience request: The local health department requested help on dealing

with mental health difficulties among adolescents.

Acceptable length:

 Comprehensive, covering all pertinent areas comprehensively.

Number of pages: 10-15.

Material important to this audience:

 Fundamental facts, interpretations, findings, and suggestions.

Most useful arrangement:

 Problem-causes-solutions: Describe the problem, its causes (including social

media usage habits), and potential solutions.

Tone:

 Professional and evidence-based.

Intended effect on this audience:

 Promote understanding and guide decision-making about interventions for

adolescent mental health.

Due date:

 Within one month from the date of request.

 Phase 1 – Group 5

B. POSSIBLE QUESTIONS:

1. General Effects of Social Media on Adolescent Mental Health

 What are the overarching effects of social media on adolescent mental health?
 How does social media use influence self-esteem and body image?
 What role does social media play in shaping adolescent identity?
 Are there correlations between social media use and symptoms of anxiety or
depression in adolescents?
 Can social media use impact sleep patterns and overall well-being in adolescents?

2. Specific Social Media Platforms and Their Effects

 How do different social media platforms impact adolescent mental health?

 What are the effects of Instagram on body image and self-perception?
 Does Snapchat usage correlate with increased feelings of social pressure or FOMO
(Fear of Missing Out)?
 Are there differences in mental health outcomes between Facebook and TikTok
users?
 How does exposure to online bullying or cyberbullying differ across various social
media platforms?

3. Demographic Differences in Social Media Effects

 Are there demographic variations in how social media affects adolescent mental
health?
 Do gender differences exist in the relationship between social media use and mental
health outcomes?
 Are adolescents from different socioeconomic backgrounds affected differently by
social media?
 How do cultural factors influence the way social media impacts mental health in
adolescents?

4. Psychological Mechanisms Underlying Social Media Effects

 Phase 1 – Group 5

 What are the psychological mechanisms through which social media affects
adolescent mental health?
 How does the phenomenon of social comparison contribute to mental health issues
in adolescents?
 Can social media serve as a coping mechanism for adolescents facing stress or
adversity?
 What role does online peer influence play in shaping adolescent behaviours and
mental health outcomes?

5. Intervention Strategies and Support Systems

 What interventions or strategies can mitigate the negative impacts of social media on
adolescent mental health?
 How effective are digital literacy programs in promoting healthy social media use
among adolescents?
 What role can parents, caregivers, and educators play in supporting adolescents'
mental health in the context of social media?
 Are there specific school-based interventions or policies that have shown promise in
addressing social media-related mental health issues?
 How can mental health professionals integrate social media literacy into therapeutic
interventions for adolescents?

6. Long-Term Implications and Future Research Directions

 What are the long-term implications of excessive social media use on adolescent
mental health?
 How might early exposure to social media influence long-term mental health
outcomes in adulthood?
 Are there potential risks of addiction or dependency associated with social media use
during adolescence?
 What are the gaps in current research, and what future directions should be pursued
to better understand the evolving relationship between social media and adolescent
mental health?
 Phase 1 – Group 5

C. PROJECT MANAGEMENT PLAN

1. Overview of the Project:

Title: The Effects of social media on Adolescents' Mental Health

Goal: To examine and assess the connection between teenage social media use and mental
health outcomes, offering guidance to stakeholders in the creation of interventions and
support plans.
Time frame: half a year
Group:
Lead Researcher: Harnoor Singh
Research Assistants: Deep Panchani
Data Analyst: Mithul Kumar
Project Co-ordinator: Nihal Daniel Karkada

2. Phases of the Project:

Month 1: Planning Phase

Specify the goals, deliverables, and scope of the project.
Formulate research questions and conjectures.
- Make a timeline and schedule for the project.
- Assign team members positions and responsibilities.
- Create channels and protocols for communication.
- Obtain the required consents from the relevant parties.

Months 1-2 of Phase 2: Literature Review

- Perform a thorough evaluation of the literature on the effects of social media on the
mental health of adolescents.
Determine important studies, approaches, and gaps in the body of current knowledge.
- Integrate results to guide data gathering strategies and study design.

Months 1-2 of Phase 2: Literature Review

- Perform a thorough evaluation of the literature on the effects of social media on the
mental health of adolescents.
Determine important studies, approaches, and gaps in the body of current knowledge.
 Phase 1 – Group 5

- Integrate results to guide data gathering strategies and study design.

Phase 3: Months 2-4: Data Gathering and Analysis

- Create research tools, like questionnaires and interview guides.

- Gather information from pertinent sources, such as teenagers, parents, teachers, and
mental health specialists.
Employ both qualitative and quantitative techniques to analyze data.
Determine the relationships, patterns, and trends between social media use and the
outcomes related to mental health.

Months 4-5: Report Writing and Analysis

- Put together study results into an extensive report.

- Arrange the introduction, methodology, findings, discussion, and recommendations in a
well-organized report structure.
- Examine and evaluate data in light of research topics and hypotheses.
Evaluate and amend the report in light of input from specialists and stakeholders.

Phase 5: Month 6: Presentation and Dissemination

- Create presentations that highlight important conclusions and suggestions.

- Report findings to relevant parties, such as parents, legislators, educators, and medical
professionals.
- Present research findings at conferences and publish them in scholarly journals.
- Create plans for distributing research findings to larger audiences via community outreach
and the media.

3. Distribution of Resources:

- Staff: Project coordinator, data analysts, and members of the research team.
- Budget: Provides money for data gathering tools, software for analysis, research
instruments, and outreach initiatives.
- Equipment: Software, computers, and other tech equipment for generating reports and
analyzing data.
- External Consultants: Bringing in outside specialists to examine and verify study results.

4. Risk Management:
 Phase 1 – Group 5

- Recognize possible hazards, like breaches of data privacy, biased research, or project
delays.
- Create strategies for mitigating risks, including as validation processes, data security
policies, and backup plans.
- Monitor and evaluate project progress on a regular basis to quickly resolve any developing
hazards.

5. Communication Plan:

- Conducting frequent team meetings to go over updates, problems, and progress.

- Weekly status reports to monitor assignments, completion of goals, and use of resources.
- Monthly progress reports to stakeholders to guarantee adherence to project goals and
specifications.
- Provide open lines of communication so that team members may collaborate and provide
feedback.

6. Assessment and Observation:

Establish key performance indicators (KPIs) such as influence on policy or practice,

stakeholder satisfaction, and research quality to gauge the success of the project.
- Carry out routine assessments to determine whether the project's budget, schedule, and
quality standards are being followed.
- Ask for input from interested parties in order to pinpoint areas that need improvement
and lessons discovered.

7. Project Closure:

- Complete the deliverables and project report.

- Save project data and documentation for later use.
- Review the project to identify its accomplishments, difficulties, and suggestions for
improvement.
- Share results and discoveries with interested parties and larger audiences.
- Honor efforts and team successes.

This draft project management plan offers an organized framework for the successful
completion of the project by outlining the essential elements and procedures of conducting
research on the effects of social media on teenage mental health.