The Mediator role of digital literacy in the relationship between adolescents’ social media attitudes and self perceptions
Journal of Human Behavior in the Social Environment, 2026 (ESCI, Scopus)
- Yayın Türü: Makale / Tam Makale
- Basım Tarihi: 2026
- Doi Numarası: 10.1080/10911359.2026.2696012
- Dergi Adı: Journal of Human Behavior in the Social Environment
- Derginin Tarandığı İndeksler: Emerging Sources Citation Index (ESCI), Scopus, IBZ Online, CINAHL, Criminal Justice Abstracts, EBSCO Education Source, Psycinfo, Public Affairs Index, Criminal Justice Periodical Index, Academic Search Ultimate (EBSCO), Social Science Premium Collection (ProQuest), Criminology Collection (ProQuest), Education Source Ultimate (EBSCO), Health Research Premium Collection (ProQuest), Humanities Source Ultimate (EBSCO), Sociology Source Ultimate (EBSCO)
- Anahtar Kelimeler: Adolescence, digital literacy, mediating role, self-perception, Social Media Attitude
- Bilecik Şeyh Edebali Üniversitesi Adresli: Evet
Özet
This study aims to examine the mediating role of digital literacy in the relationship between adolescents’ social media attitudes and self-perception. The research was conducted with a sample of 287 high school students aged 14 to 17, studying in Bilecik during the 2023–2024 academic year. The data collection tools included a Personal Information Form, the Social Media Attitude Scale (SMAS), the Digital Literacy Scale (DLS), and the Adolescent Self-Perception Scale (ASPS). Data were gathered through face-to-face surveys and analyzed using Pearson correlation analysis and path analysis via Structural Equation Modeling (SEM). The findings revealed significant positive correlations between social media attitudes, digital literacy, and self-perception. In particular, the Need for Sharing dimension of SMAS showed strong positive correlations with all sub-dimensions of DLS and the Social dimension of ASPS. Path analysis indicated that social media attitude positively predicts digital literacy (β = 0.475, p <.001), and digital literacy positively predicts self-perception (β = 0.412, p <.001). Additionally, digital literacy was found to play a mediating role in the effect of social media attitudes on self-perception (β = 0.196, p =.005). In conclusion, adolescents with higher digital literacy skills tend to be more positively influenced by their social media use and develop a healthier self-perception. It is recommended that educational policies and parental guidance be shaped with a focus on promoting digital literacy to enhance adolescents’ ability to navigate social networks in a safe and constructive manner.