Exploring Public Perceptions of Social Media: A Preregistered Mixed-Methods Study

Background: Cyberpsychology research has focused extensively on the potential impacts of social media usage on mental health and wellbeing. However, we know much less about whether the public endorse these impacts. In this preregistered mixed methods study, we therefore explored public perceptions towards social media in a large-sample of adult and adolescents (> 25-year-olds and 18–25-year-olds). Methods: Participants (n = 968, 484 adults, 484 adolescents) completed an online survey which asked them to select which platforms they identified as being a ‘social media’, rate their level of endorsement with 68 positive and negative research-informed characteristics of social media use, and report their understanding of, and agreement with, commonly used definitions. A sub-set of 95 participants also provided open-ended, narrative responses to questions that asked them how social media had impacted themselves or someone else. Findings: Participants mostly identified Facebook, TikTok, X and Snapchat as ‘social media’ platforms and, across age groups, endorsed more negative than positive characteristics of social media. Thematic analysis highlighted three main themes of “Beyond the screen”, “Negative online behaviour” and “Removal of blame/accountability” for adults, and “Mental health concerns”, “Finding connection and support” and “Productivity concerns” for adolescents. Discussion: Understanding public’s perceptions of social media, and how these may differ between generations, can inform tailored educational initiatives (e.g., digital literacy programmes) and improve public engagement. This can be achieved through citizen science – engaging the public directly in academic research.