Basic Needs Satisfaction through Social Media Engagement: A Developmental Framework for Understanding Adolescent Social Media Use

This article provides a theoretical review of how, within notions Self-Determination Theory, adolescents’ use social media can contribute to both the satisfaction and/or frustration their basic psychological needs, and thus (or impede) attainment key developmental goals in adolescence, such as identity formation peer affiliation, how these may impact overall well-being. In this way, work important insights into motivational (i.e., needs satisfaction) affiliation) processes underlying youth’s engagement has implications for future research, well development intervention prevention efforts targeting youth experiencing negative outcomes related engagement.