Commentary of Social Media Displays in Young People with Chronic Conditions

Abstract

A majority of today’s adolescents and young adults are constant social media users. Social media allows individuals to express themselves, communicate with peers and meet new people. Peer support is crucial for adolescent development and disease management. Young people with chronic conditions may not know someone in their offline life with a similar condition. A majority of young people with chronic conditions are interested in finding peers with similar conditions through social media. There is a gap in the literature regarding how young people with chronic conditions use their social media in relation to their condition. The purpose of this commentary is to discuss social media use in adolescents and young adults with connective tissue disorders (CTDs) and to explore future avenues for social media research in this population.