Teenagers are among the most prolific users of social
network sites (SNS). Emerging studies find that youth
spend a considerable portion of their daily life interacting
through social media. Subsequently, questions and
controversies emerge about the effects SNS have on
adolescent development. This review outlines the theoretical
frameworks researchers have used to understand
adolescents and SNS. It brings together work from disparate
fields that examine the relationship between SNS
and social capital, privacy, youth safety, psychological
well-being, and educational achievement.These research
strands speak to high-profile concerns and controversies
that surround youth participation in these online
communities, and offer ripe areas for future research.