Social media effects of adolescence

The researcher followed an interpretivist research paradigm and applied the qualitative research approach. The type of research was applied research. The study had an exploratory and a descriptive purpose as the researcher explored the participants’ experiences of social media use to gain a better understanding of the phenomenon, and subsequently provided a description of the phenomenon. The study was planned an implemented according to a case study design. The instrumental case study was specifically implemented as the goal of the study was to obtain knowledge and insight into a specific phenomenon. The study population consisted of young adults who used social media during their adolescent years and being a qualitative study, a non-probability sampling method was used. Data was collected by means of semi-structured interviews, in which an interview schedule or guide with open-ended questions were used to guide the interview and probe the participants’ answers. The participants provided their permission for the researcher to digitally record the interviews. Data was analysed by means of following the thematic analysis steps. The researcher attended to the aspect of data quality by considering the elements of credibility, transferability, dependability and confirmability. The research was conducted with consideration of ethical research principles such as avoidance of harm, voluntary participation and informed consent, confidentiality, no deception and debriefing of participants.