Redes sociales y subjetividades adolescentes

Abstract

Social networks are virtual applications that enable interaction among people worldwide, where a wide variety of content is shared that can influence the subjectivity of users, especially in the case of teenagers who, being in a stage of constant change, are influenced in their thinking and behavior. The study employed a qualitative approach with a phenomenological-hermeneutic design to understand the subjective experiences of young individuals. An epistemological approach based on psychoanalysis with an attachment tendency was proposed, intending to enhance the perception of individual experiences with social networks. The general objective was to investigate the influences of social networks on the subjectivities of adolescents. The study worked with a convenience sample of teenagers aged 15 to 18 from the Nueve de Octubre High School in Machala, Ecuador. The selected research instruments were a survey to inquire about the influences perceived by teenagers and a semi-structured interview with parents, which complemented the results with the caregivers' perceptions. To collect data, a letter was submitted to the school's principal requesting permission from the students, and during the application of surveys and interviews, it was explained that the results would be used for academic purposes. Upon analyzing the data, four categories emerged: Influences, preferences on social networks, emotional impact, and self-esteem. In the "Influences" category, the complementation of academic learning and stress relief was identified as positive effects, helping with tasks and relaxation. On the other hand, exposure to virtual violence and the normalization of social media addiction were categorized as negative effects, hindering daily activities and the perception of safety. Regarding preferences, entertainment emerged as the main function of use that young individuals perceive on social networks, followed by a communication channel to connect with others and a source of information that keeps them informed. Concerning emotional impact, a significant portion did not perceive emotional impacts; however, some reported pleasant emotions such as happiness with funny videos, while others experienced unpleasant emotions like sadness and fear due to negative content. Finally, self-esteem is mostly diminished by comparisons and negative comments, but it can also be elevated with motivational content.