Decoding Youth Social Media Behavior: Key Findings on Access, Content, and Consumption Patterns

Naveen Kumar; Research Scholar; Vijay Kumar

doi:10.65301/ijcd.2025.15.3.4.9

Articles Vol. 15 Issue 3 & 4 Jan - June 2025

DOI 10.65301/ijcd.2025.15.3.4.9

Decoding Youth Social Media Behavior: Key Findings on Access, Content, and Consumption Patterns

Authors

Department of Journalism and Mass Communication IEC University Baddi Himachal Pradesh Department of Journalism and Mass Communication IEC University Baddi Himachal Pradesh Department of Journalism and Mass Communication IEC University Baddi

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Published 2025-06-30

Abstract

Contemporary youth culture is predominantly influenced by social media, which dictates their interactions, consumption behaviors, and modes of communication. This study employs an exploratory research approach to analyze the usage patterns of young individuals on social media, highlighting significant trends in engagement and platform preferences. Convenience sampling was employed to collect primary data, ensuring diversity and accessibility among the participants. The findings illuminate the impact of social media on the lifestyles of young individuals, influencing digital literacy, behavioral patterns, and policy formulation. This research analyzes usage patterns to explore the dynamics, add to the understanding and to provide the future investigators with a realistic start to initiate further investigation. Reasonable

Keywords

Social media Youth Usage Pattern social media behavior

References

American Psychological Association. (2023). Health advisory on social media use in adolescence.
Bohra, A. S. (2020). Patterns of internet usage among youths in India. Social Media Matters.
(Additional references note mentioned in document – APA style sources on youth social media usage patterns)
Divankshi, M., Jain, L., Saraf, S., & Jain, S. (2024). The impact of social media on youth: A comprehensive study. International Journal of Creative Research Thoughts, 24(A3189).
Fredrick, S. S., Ettekal, I., Domoff, S. E., & Nickerson, A. (2025). Patterns of child and adolescent digital media use: Associations with school support, engagement, and cybervictimization. Psychology of Popular Media, 14(1), 54–65.
https://doi.org/10.1037/ppm0000570
Harshavarthini, K., & Thirumal, P. (2024). Social media consumption trends among college students: An application of the Users and Gratification Theory. International Journal of Research Publication and Reviews, 5(4), 25932.
https://files.eric.ed.gov/fulltext/EJ1173509%
https://www.ijert.org/research/the-impact-of-social-media-usage-among-college-students-IJERTConv13IS02005.pdf
https://www.apa.org/topics/social-media-internet/health-advisory-adolescent-social-media-use.pdf
Johnson, R. (2025). Policy interventions for healthy digital habits: A longitudinal study on youth social media engagement. Journal of Digital Literacy Studies, 12(2), 78–95.
Jones, M. (2023). Psychological triggers of social media addiction: An exploratory framework. Journal of Behavioral Studies, 9(3), 112–130.
Lee, C., & Chen, Y. (2023). The impact of excessive social media use on anxiety and self-esteem among adolescents. Journal of Youth Psychology, 15(1), 45–67.
Nagel, D., Smith, J., & Taylor, R. (2018). Social media usage among college students: Trends and professional applications. Journal of Higher Education Research, 22(4), 301–320.
Pant, S., Kumar, R., & Patel, M. (2025). The impact of social media usage among college students: Benefits and challenges. International Journal of Emerging Research in Technology, 13(2), 2005.
Patel, A., & Kumar, V. (2023). Algorithm-driven content exposure and its effects on youth social media consumption. Digital Media & Society, 8(1), 99–120.
Schmeichel, M., Hughes, H. E., & Kutner, M. (2018). Qualitative research on youths’ social media use: A review of the literature. Middle Grades Review, 4(2).
Smith, J., & Taylor, R. (2024). Exploring emerging trends in digital interactions: A qualitative and quantitative approach. Journal of Social Media Studies, 11(3), 67–89.
Williams, L., & Brown, T. (2024). Positive peer interactions and digital literacy development through social media engagement. Journal of Educational Technology, 19(2), 150–170.

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Naveen Kumar, Research Scholar, Vijay Kumar . (2025). Decoding Youth Social Media Behavior: Key Findings on Access, Content, and Consumption Patterns. International Journal of Communication Development , 15(1).

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International Journal of Communication Development

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ISSN 2231-2498

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[1] American Psychological Association. (2023). Health advisory on social media use in adolescence.

[2] Bohra, A. S. (2020). Patterns of internet usage among youths in India. Social Media Matters.

[3] (Additional references note mentioned in document – APA style sources on youth social media usage patterns)

[4] Divankshi, M., Jain, L., Saraf, S., & Jain, S. (2024). The impact of social media on youth: A comprehensive study. International Journal of Creative Research Thoughts, 24(A3189).

[5] Fredrick, S. S., Ettekal, I., Domoff, S. E., & Nickerson, A. (2025). Patterns of child and adolescent digital media use: Associations with school support, engagement, and cybervictimization. Psychology of Popular Media, 14(1), 54–65.

[6] https://doi.org/10.1037/ppm0000570

[7] Harshavarthini, K., & Thirumal, P. (2024). Social media consumption trends among college students: An application of the Users and Gratification Theory. International Journal of Research Publication and Reviews, 5(4), 25932.

[8] https://files.eric.ed.gov/fulltext/EJ1173509%

[9] https://www.ijert.org/research/the-impact-of-social-media-usage-among-college-students-IJERTConv13IS02005.pdf

[10] https://www.apa.org/topics/social-media-internet/health-advisory-adolescent-social-media-use.pdf

[11] Johnson, R. (2025). Policy interventions for healthy digital habits: A longitudinal study on youth social media engagement. Journal of Digital Literacy Studies, 12(2), 78–95.

[12] Jones, M. (2023). Psychological triggers of social media addiction: An exploratory framework. Journal of Behavioral Studies, 9(3), 112–130.

[13] Lee, C., & Chen, Y. (2023). The impact of excessive social media use on anxiety and self-esteem among adolescents. Journal of Youth Psychology, 15(1), 45–67.

[14] Nagel, D., Smith, J., & Taylor, R. (2018). Social media usage among college students: Trends and professional applications. Journal of Higher Education Research, 22(4), 301–320.

[15] Pant, S., Kumar, R., & Patel, M. (2025). The impact of social media usage among college students: Benefits and challenges. International Journal of Emerging Research in Technology, 13(2), 2005.

[16] Patel, A., & Kumar, V. (2023). Algorithm-driven content exposure and its effects on youth social media consumption. Digital Media & Society, 8(1), 99–120.

[17] Schmeichel, M., Hughes, H. E., & Kutner, M. (2018). Qualitative research on youths’ social media use: A review of the literature. Middle Grades Review, 4(2).

[18] Smith, J., & Taylor, R. (2024). Exploring emerging trends in digital interactions: A qualitative and quantitative approach. Journal of Social Media Studies, 11(3), 67–89.

[19] Williams, L., & Brown, T. (2024). Positive peer interactions and digital literacy development through social media engagement. Journal of Educational Technology, 19(2), 150–170.