This important book provides a comprehensive walkthrough of the impacts of social media on the lives and psychological health of children and young people. It considers the role played by individual differences and especially personality factors in shaping social media behaviour and responses to specific types of illegal or potentially harmful content. This book discusses young people’s actions on social media and the resulting psychological effects, such as developing an over-dependence on social media sites, disclosing information about themselves that makes them vulnerable to many different risks, and being pulled away from their everyday lives, which can result in social withdrawal, impaired cognitive development, and mental health issues. This book also examines the challenges faced by governments and communications regulators in developing effective laws, regulations, and codes of practice to protect young people and place greater responsibility on the technology companies that provide the platforms for social media sites. It also considers the roles that can be played by parents and schools in supporting regulators to protect the youngest social media consumers. Drawing up and reviewing the latest research evidence from around the world, this text is essential reading for students, researchers, and academics in psychology and media fields.

Barrie Gunter is Emeritus Professor in Media at the University of Leicester. He is the author/editor of more than 80 books on media, marketing, management, and psychology topics and has specialised in the study of children and their use of
media.