IDENTITY IN THE 21ST CENTURY: DESIGNING TO SHIFT THE MOTIVES OF SOCIAL MEDIA

1

EMILY CARR UNIVERSITY OF ART + DESIGN

DESIGN RESEARCH & METHODS

IDENTITY IN THE 21ST CENTURY: DESIGNING TO SHIFT THE MOTIVES OF SOCIAL MEDIA Keywords: Social Media, Gen-Z, Mental Health, Youth, Self-Esteem, Modernity

By Jocasta Clarke, Layla Hasanovic, & Danika Oystrek

We began our journey into design research by contemplating aspects of modern society which are detrimental to the overall social health of the human species. Some of the topics discussed included socializing during the COVID-19 pandemic, the impact of COVID-19 on polarization of politics, and intervening in diet culture. All of which were relatively short term, overdesigned issues. We then asked ourselves what is an aspect of modern society which is accepted as being detrimental, unchangeable, and will only get worse with no intervention? This query led to one obvious topic: social media, namely designing to subdue the negative effects which these platforms have on mental health. Social media took off in the early 2000s and tallied over two billion users in a little over a decade (Ortiz-Ospina).

This overconsumption of media has no foreseeable end and is an increasingly urgent and recognizable issue, enigmatic to the average social media user. With billion dollar corporations architecting apps to form addictive cycles of detrimental behavior within users of all ages, interventions in this space are crucial for the health of future generations.

Our goals for this research are to form holistic understandings of social media, including the learnings which are being brought to the table in 2021, as well as to pinpoint the tools and habits negatively affecting the mental health of users. By asking ourselves how we can design to shift the objectives of social media, we gain the ability to use design to build healthy and caring online spaces for future generations.

SOCS 309 F091 SPRING 2021

2

Secondary Research

Before beginning any research, we established our assumptions. These thoughts are gathered from our shared experiences as social media users in 2021. Our assumptions are as follows: - Users over curate their social media posts and feed for their social benefit.

- Users attempt to portray their most idealized self on their accounts.

- Social media has negative effects on the mental health of users.

- Users search for validation through social media.

3

EMILY CARR UNIVERSITY OF ART + DESIGN

DESIGN RESEARCH & METHODS

In our secondary research, we wanted to establish a realistic view of the current mental health and social media landscape.

As we began our academic research, we established that happiness is subjective, and can differ based on personal and cultural deviances (Miller et. al). This was a harsh realization which halted the research process- we would have to establish a quantifiable characteristic for happiness to be able to move forward.

Unfortunately, we were not able to come to a conclusion on this issue and delegated it to our primary research.

We then used the popular culture probe method to establish new trends in social media use.

During this research we found that there is an increasing demand for vulnerability within users’ social media experiences.

According to a Carrie Battan, “The original Instagram tropes have grown dull, creating a hunger for authenticity, or at least the appearance of candor.” This is an interesting shift in online trends as the desired image for creators to have has always been one of perfection, further

perpetuating the negative effects of social media on mental health.

There were many gaps in our secondary research, namely in specific aspects of social media which contributed to triggering moments within users. We attributed this lack of knowledge to the infancy of and ease of generalization intrinsic in social media.

Due to social media being fairly new, there are not many sources prioritizing positive changes within social media platforms.

Rather, research focuses on the negative outcomes of an overuse of online networks, displaying increasing suicide rates among young users and exponential increases in users diagnosed with Generalized Anxiety Disorder (Gao). An article published in 2021 begins to touch on places where social media can have positive effects, stating “findings suggest that other-oriented, but not self-oriented use, negatively affects appearance self-esteem from childhood to adolescence” (Steinsbekk). Steinsbekk’s findings prove that posting on one’s own account allows for positive experiences within social media as the users’ followers like and comment on their posts.

SOCS 309 F091 SPRING 2021

4

Primary Research

“[I FEEL] LESSER, INSECURE. TO AN EXTENT, I THINK IT’S COMMON FOR MY MIND TO BECOME ENGROSSED IN THE FLASHY IMAGES AND LOSE RATIONAL UNDERSTANDING THAT IT IS SOCIAL MEDIA.”

5

EMILY CARR UNIVERSITY OF ART + DESIGN

DESIGN RESEARCH & METHODS

In this stage of research we aimed to reach out to not only experts in the field who have devoted large portions of their lives to the understanding and science of mental health and social media, but also the ‘non-expert expert’ users who interact in this space on a day to day basis. The act of involving everyday users in this co-design styled research was to diversify our range of data.

We began by interviewing Dr. Sulma Gandhi, the founder of Conscious Communities, an organization which provides groundbreaking programs focusing on empowering the youth of Hawai’i by eliminating violence and promoting safe and respectful environments. She served as the director of student health and wellness programs at the University of Hawaii at Hilo and is also a mother, providing multiple unique points of view for us.

She promoted the need for education tools within social media platforms in order to focus on the prevention of mental health issues caused by social media.

Many problems arise from the ability to be anonymous within social media and individuals not being equipped with proper conflict management skills. Situations which are created from the inability to successfully moderate

social media platforms are traumatic to many, especially users who are minorities. Near the end of our interview, we asked her what caring social media would look like to her. She responded with a list of criteria which would need to be accomplished in order to begin to make changes within social media and the aforementioned factors. Caring social media would have tools, education, and skill sets in nonviolent communication. It would design alliances rather than division and hold people accountable in gracious and learning ways. Dr. Gandhi continuously emphasized the need to raise the collective consciousness of users in order to create safe and healthy online spaces.

With this information we proceeded to conduct remote surveys and workshops for the ‘non-expert expert’ through Google Forms, Miro, and Zoom.

Our questions focused on qualitative data which was unable to be found through secondary research. We wanted to find the source of the anxiety of users whether that be followers, likes, comments, following, etc. Most users were uncomfortable with any thoughts regarding knowing who and how many people like, comment, and follow them.

SOCS 309 F091 SPRING 2021

6

One user noted “I feel I cannot communicate my thoughts, passions, ideas, or even simply my own body as I feel judged […] by the following I have accumulated.”

When asked about their opinions on which app they believed to be the healthiest participants cited VSCO and WhatsApp. WhatsApp, a platform designed as a communication alternative to texting, was an expected answer for us as the comparative behavior of other-oriented social media use was not present in this app; however, VSCO was unexpected. Through analyzing this platform we deduced that the appeal and unique aspect of the app is that they do not display any of the users’ analytics outright and users are only able to message people who are mutual followers. These two aspects create a non-comparative and safe atmosphere; however, there is a lack of community on the platform.

7

EMILY CARR UNIVERSITY OF ART + DESIGN

The app continually chosen as being the most used was Instagram, which is cited by Time as being “the worst social media network for mental health and wellbeing” (Macmillan). This feeling was reflected by our participants, with a user stating “[social media makes me feel] lesser, insecure. To an extent, I think it’s common for my mind to become engrossed in the flashy images and lose the rational understanding that it is social media.”

With this information, we needed to gather how certain users are able to use social media in a healthy way. Multiple comments by participants pointed towards self-awareness as being a key aspect in healing their relationship to online platforms. “There was a time when using social media, Instagram mainly, gave me lots of stress and anxiety but over time, I was able to acknowledge these emotions and manage them better.” Through our primary research questions, participants were nudged to consider their emotional states when using social media and therefore practice self awareness by naming their cyclic behaviors.

DESIGN RESEARCH & METHODS

Graphs Instagram Tools Causing the Most Anxiety to Users: 1. Followers 2. Likes 3. Comments 4. Following

70% of all participants feel they are not able to fully express themselves through social media.

WHICH SOCIAL MEDIA APPLICATION DO YOU USE THE MOST OFTEN?

35.3% of all participants have begun shifting their actions to create a safer online environment for themselves.

WHATSAPP OTHER

VSCO PINTEREST

FACEBOOK

YOUTUBE

TIK TOK

SNAPCHAT

INSTAGRAM

WHICH SOCIAL MEDIA APPLICATION DO YOU BELIEVE IS THE HEALTHIEST?

SOCS 309 F091 SPRING 2021

8

DESIGN BRIEF Problem Statement

HOW MIGHT WE DESIGN TO SHIFT THE OBJECTIVES OF SOCIAL MEDIA? Synthesis Methods: Mind Maps & Journey Map

9

EMILY CARR UNIVERSITY OF ART + DESIGN

DESIGN RESEARCH & METHODS

Secondary Research

− Other-oriented social media use culminates in decreased self confidence while self-oriented use has positive effects on the user. − An increase in Generalized Anxiety Disorder follows an increase in social media exposure, with Instagram being cited as the worst platform for mental health. − There is a demand for reality and vulnerability within users’ social media experiences.

Primary Research

− In order to interrupt negative cycles within social media use, intervention must take place within young age groups. − Education and tools are needed for dealing with potentially traumatizing media. − Displaying numbers on social media platforms prioritizes social status over the boundaries of the user.

Synthesis Findings

− Encouraging self awareness is key in creating a healthy social media experience for oneself.

SOCS 309 F091 SPRING 2021

10

Mind Maps

Mind mapping was a prominent tool in our synthesis process as we used it to uncover the themes within the discourse of our primary research, which are as follows: − Social media provides the opportunity to foster a global community, an aspect which is increasingly prevalent during the COVID-19 pandemic. − There is a need for self-awareness and honouring one’s boundaries in order to use social media in a healthy manner.

− Social media is commonly used as an alternative to texting and therefore one on one communication needs to be emphasized and treated with care by app developers. The current communication methods in the form of likes and quick reactions are not nuanced enough to fulfill humans’ needs. − Participants felt a disconnect from their followers, the numbers displayed on their profiles, and their feed in general.

11

EMILY CARR UNIVERSITY OF ART + DESIGN

DESIGN RESEARCH & METHODS

Journey Map

Our primary research included a slideshow whose purpose was to gauge the visceral reactions of our participants to common icons and figures within Instagram. Their reactions were rated verbally on a scale of 1-5, based on their comfort with each image. We then synthesized this research using a journey map wherein the visuals were associated with different sequences of social media. Our results unveiled that users care more for

the number of accounts which are following them than of who they are following. This demonstrated a key fact: there is a disconnect between feelings and action within social media. Users understand how the accounts they are following affect their mental health, yet are unable to act upon these feelings. Designing to bridge this gap will help users curate healthy social media spaces for themselves.

SOCS 309 F091 SPRING 2021

12

Conclusion

This research was challenging due to the extreme variants in users’ social media experiences as well as a lack of positive secondary research. Through our primary research we discovered that social media users are craving community within online platforms and that the sense of vulnerability from ‘getting real’ posts allows for a space where people feel connected. Yet, there is a general feeling of disconnect stemming from an inattentiveness to accounts which are being followed. If social media platforms were to implement changes in this space, it would intervene in the addictive behavioral cycles which are detrimental to the mental health of social media users.

13

EMILY CARR UNIVERSITY OF ART + DESIGN

DESIGN RESEARCH & METHODS

Citations AccessScience Editors. “Social Media.” AccessScience, McGrawHill Education, Dec. 2019.

Battan, Carrie. “The Rise of the ‘Getting Real’ Post on Instagram.”

The New Yorker, The New Yorker, 1 Oct 2019, www.newyorker.com/ culture/culture-desk/the-rise-of-the-getting-real-post-on-instagram.

Accessed 28 Jan. 2021.

Gao, Junling, et al. “Mental Health Problems and Social Media Exposure during COVID-19 Pandemic.” April 16, 2020. https://doi. org/10.1371/journal.pone.0231924. Accessed 8 Apr. 2021.

Macmillan, Amanda. “Why Instagram is the worst Social Media for Mental Health.” Time, 25 May 2017, www.time.com/4793331/ instagram-social-media-mental-health/. Accessed 8 Apr. 2021.

Miller, Daniel, et al. “Does Social Media Make People Happier?”

How the World Changed Social Media, 1st ed., vol. 1, UCL Press, London, 2016, pp. 193–204. JSTOR, www.jstor.org/stable/j. ctt1g69z35.20. Accessed 8 Apr. 2021.

Ortiz-Ospina, Esteban. “The Rise of Social Media .” Our World in Data, Global Change Data Lab, Sept. 2019.

Steinsbekk, Silje, et al. “The impact of social media use on appearance self-esteem from childhood to adolescence- A 3-wave community study.” Computers in Human Behavior, vol. 114, 2021.

SOCS 309 F091 SPRING 2021

14