Social Power

Abstract

Social forces affect all of us in positive and negative ways, and adolescents and emerging adults are especially sensitive to them. Positive social support forces include close relationships with family members and friends. Social isolation is a risk factor for depression. The power of the media is examined through a study that was done in Fiji with young women before and after the introduction of television. The role of social media and its negative impact on the mood of teenagers and young adults is documented, yet one reason it may be difficult to limit social media in students is that parents are over-involved in digital media as well. A final set of negative social forces are bullying, cyberbullying, body shaming, and harassment of people who are different from the perceived norm. Included in the chapter are strategies for limiting social media and responding to bullying.