Adolescent ‘Influencers’: Peer-Nominated Social Media Visibility and Links to Social Behavior

Research shows that 97% of teens are daily internet users, with 36% reporting they spend too much time on social media. Additionally, social media use and engagement in risky behaviors are correlated in adolescence. Given these findings, further research is needed regarding the impact of adolescent social media ‘influencers’ on their peers’ behavior. The current study aims to validate a peer-nomination measure of adolescent social media visibility, as well as to test the associations of social media visibility with engagement in prosocial, aggressive, and risk-taking behaviors. Participants were 331 7th and 8th graders from a Midwestern school in a small community. Social media visibility was assessed via peer nominations, along with prosocial behavior and physical, verbal, and relational aggression. Delinquency and substance use were measured via self-report. Peer-reported social media visibility showed moderate correspondence with various self-reports of social media use. It was also associated with higher levels of prosocial and aggressive behavior and substance use. Implications for influence processes for adolescent behavior are discussed.