Exploring the relationships between emotional intelligence and social media use in pre-teens. A longitudinal study

Adolescence is a period marked by significant physical, cognitive, social, and emotional changes. During this phase, emotional intelligence may play a crucial role in shaping social-emotional development. While emotional intelligence has both biological and psychological foundations, it is also subject to the influence of various sociocultural factors. However, with the widespread use of social media among pre-teens, concerns have arisen regarding its impact on emotional intelligence development and overall well-being. This study examines the relationship between emotional intelligence, social media activity, and the tendency towards social media addiction during adolescence. By investigating these factors, we aim to gain a better understanding of how social media engagement may influence emotional intelligence and potentially impact adolescents’ psychological well-being.A longitudinal study was conducted with a sample of 538 students ranging in age from 11 to 14 years. The data collection took place during school hours, and participants completed anonymous, self-administered questionnaires. The questionnaires used in this study included the Instagram Image Activity Scale (IIAS), which measured the frequency of image-related activities on social net works, the Trait Emotional Intelligence Questionnaire, and the Bergen Social Media Addiction Scale. A total of 537 preadolescents (49% girls, 49% boys, 2% non-binary; mean age: 12.12; SD: 0.89) were included. The most used platforms include WhatsApp (95%), YouTube (86%), TikTok (74%) and Instagram (68%). The participants carried out more activities on social media based on images of celebrities, followed by images of peers and, finally, by self-images. Correlational analysis shows a negative association between emotional intelligence and risk of problematic social media use, while a positive association emerged between the Bergen scale and the IIAS. This study highlights the extensive use of social media and suggests that excessive or problematic engagement in social media activities may negatively influence the development of emo tional intelligence, as pre-teens may spend less time and energy understanding, expressing, and experiencing their emotion. Further more, it could be hypothesised that pre-teens with lower emotional intelligence may show greater susceptibility to becoming over-involved or addicted to social media. These findings underscore the need for further research and interventions to promote healthy social media use and support the development of emotional intelligence among preadolescents.