Exploring the world of social media-addicted youth: family relationship in focus

Abstract

During trying times, students addicted to social media experience a variety of struggles, most especially in terms of their family relationships. Through a phenomenological study, the researchers investigated the experiences, challenges, and coping strategies of seven purposively selected individuals addicted to social media from Davao City, Philippines. Using interviews as the data collection method, the researchers gathered information regarding the participants’ experiences, specifically about how social media resulted in poor family relationships and how it makes communication easy. The researchers also discovered that the social media–addicted youth encountered several challenges, such as becoming irresponsible at home, experiencing conflicts and emotional outbursts, and experiencing emotional and mental tolls due to conflicts. Moreover, it was unraveled that the participants’ coping strategies include managing time, returning to reality, and imposing self-discipline. This article can help families from the region to be oriented on common problems related to social media addiction and the various strategies that could be used to address relevant issues.