Toward an Integrated Conceptual Framework of Research in Teen Online Communication

A Review Of Research On Teen Online Communication

Past research has been primarily focused on the relationship between media effects and teen behaviors (Bushman & Anderson, 2001; Hrastinski & Keller, 2007; Rubin, 2002). For example, Suoninen (2001) explored the media effects on adolescent social communication and concluded that media play an important part in adolescent “identity work when young people build their own personal spheres of life” (p. 218). Groebel (2001) examined youth media behavior such as aggressiveness using the Internet by focusing on media effects involved in teen online communication. Greenfield and Yan (2006) argue that the existing research should go beyond “media effects” to examine how adolescent developmental needs relate to online communication. Buckingham (2004) made a similar statement by asserting that media studies including the study of the Internet “need to move beyond a determinist view of the effects media technology on children … to consider these new media and communication technologies within the context of broader changes in children’s culture” (p. 108). Lloyd (2002) points out that mass media constructs must become integrated into a broader understanding of adolescent psychological functioning.