How Social Media Influences Teen Consumer Behavior
Abstract
The study explores the influence of social media on teenage consumer behavior through behavioral economics. Social media platforms are becoming more deeply embedded in the daily lives of teenagers. They significantly reshape the communication, entertainment, and consumption patterns of them. This research examines how concepts such as influencers marketing, recommendations and algorithm-controlled content on platforms such as TikTok, Xiaohongshu (the Little Red Book), and Instagram affect teenagers' online purchasing behavior and decisions. Key behavioral economics concepts that include anchoring effect, social proof, loss aversion, instant gratification, and nudging are used to analyze how social media affects teenagers’ cognitive development. It also looks at how various family dynamics and socioeconomic backgrounds shape these effects. Additionally, this research addresses important issues like misleading advertisements, privacy concerns, and the lack of financial literacy among teenagers. It concludes with practical advice for parents, educators, and regulators of media platforms to help foster healthier media habits in young people. By examining recent studies, the research aims to explore the psychological and social factors that shape teenager's purchasing behavior in this digital era.
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