Motivations for Using Social Media, Adverse Experiences and Adolescent Emotional Difficulties in the Pandemic Context

Studies investigating the effects of an increasing use of social media during the pandemic on youths’ wellbeing mainly focused on screen time or Internet addiction, with mixed results. The present study aimed at investigating adolescents’ social networks use, addressing the relationship between specific motivations and psychological outcomes, also considering exposure to adversities. 1195 Italian adolescents (14–18 years) were administered the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire and the Internet Motives Questionnaire for Adolescents. Demographic information, exposure to adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) and Covid-19-stressors, and social network use were also investigated. High levels of psychological difficulties were detected, with 49.2