#Challenge Accepted: Adolescents' Perception of Motivation Behind Social Media Challenges

Abstract

Technological progress and the Internet's growing importance
have made social media challenges common among
adolescents. Despite their prevalence, research on this topic
remains scarce. This study explores how adolescents perceive
their peers' motivation for participating in social media
challenges. Forty-three students in six focus groups participated.
The results highlight themes such as the need for (self-)respect,
the need for love and belonging, motives related to emotion
regulation and sensation seeking, and the pursuit of online
identity development. Adolescents emphasise popularity, fun,
and peer pressure as key factors. Raising awareness about the
impact of social media challenges on young people's daily lives
among students, parents, and educators, is crucial.