Research Symposium

BIO

Sofia Bernal is a sophomore FSU undergraduate student pursuing a dual degree in Psychology and Marketing. In UROP, she is currently studying how social media can trigger positive and negative emotions such as shame, guilt, pride, and happiness on various platforms. She was awarded the IDEA Grant and will continue researching social media as it pertains to body image and Greek Life here at FSU. Sofia plans to continue researching throughout her undergraduate years and plans to pursue a Master's degree in Psychology.

Emotions and Social Media Use: Youth Experiences of Different Online Phenomena

Abstract

Social media has become more prominent in the 21st century and has facilitated easier modes of communication. However, with the emergence of social media, many individuals have started associating social media in both a negative and positive light. This study investigates possible correlations between social media and feelings of negative and positive emotions while also conducting a meta-analysis to investigate trends that are related to this field of study. The objective of this research was to investigate why individuals experience these varieties of emotions and provide more knowledge to this current field of literature. Additionally, it is also a way to provide more knowledge than what is known about current studies. Participants involved in this study were asked to complete a Qualtrics survey that offered in-depth questions about emotions experienced while doing certain tasks on social media. Afterward, participants were asked two long answer questions about one time they experienced both positive and negative emotions while on social media

Keywords: social media, emotions, psychology, shame, youth