Teens connected with parents on social media feel closer in real life too: study

A recent research has shown that teenagers who are connected to their parents on social media feel closer to their parents in real life.

Parents may not be as savvy with social media as their teenage children, but new research shows they shouldn't shy away from sending their teen a friend request on Facebook or engaging them on Twitter, Instagram and other social platforms.

Brigham Young University professors Sarah Coyne and Laura Padilla-Walker have found that teens that interact with their parents on social media have higher rates of 'pro-social' behavior.

When asked about social media helping families stay connected, Coyne said that social networks give an intimate look at your teenager's life. It lets parents know what their kids are going through, what their friends think is cool or fun, and helps them feel more connected to their child.

Coyne also suggested the parents to use social media in moderation. She said that parents have to keep it at the level that's appropriate and respectful of what the teen wants as well.

Something that really surprised Coyne in the research was social networking, independent of parent use, was associated with certain negative outcomes for teenagers. They were more relationally aggressive and had higher internalizing behavior.