Platform-Mediated Informing in Late Childhood and Early Adolescence: Primary-Platform Use, Sleep Quality, and Self-Reported Concentration

Aim/Purpose This study examines associations between estimated daily use of participants’ primary social media platform and self-reported concentration, behavioral, and psychosocial indicators among Italian young people spanning late childhood, preadolescence, and early adolescence. Background Social media platforms can be conceptualized as platform-mediated informing environments in which human-generated content, algorithmic selection, interface features, and user feedback jointly organize information exposure. These processes may be particularly relevant during developmental periods characterized by increasing peer sensitivity and still-maturing attentional and self-regulatory capacities. Methodology A cross-sectional survey was conducted with 94 Italian participants; 93 provided valid age data ranging from 9 to 15 years. Primary analyses used Spearman correlations, complemented by age-adjusted linear models with HC3 robust inference, ordinal logistic robustness analyses, and an exploratory TikTok-specific binary logistic model for scroll-past response. School-grade and age-restriction sensitivity analyses were also conducted. Multiplicity was addressed using Holm’s correction. Contribution The study contributes to Informing Science by conceptualizing social media as platform-mediated informing systems and by distinguishing between primary-platform exposure, mode of engagement, self-reported concentration, and psychosocial indicators within adaptive digital information environments. Findings Greater current daily use of the primary social media platform was associated with lower sustained concentration and lower school concentration, and both associations remained significant after Holm correction. Sustained concentration showed the strongest and most consistent pattern across analytical approaches. The association with perceived sleep quality was negative but did not survive the primary multiplicity correction and was therefore interpreted as tentative. The scroll-past response was common among TikTok users (36 of 42; 85.7%). An exploratory TikTok-specific analysis did not indicate a clear association with greater daily TikTok use. However, this estimate was based on very limited variation in outcomes and should be interpreted with caution. No statistically significant associations emerged with perceived worries or social-comparison valence; these null findings remain inconclusive given the modest sample size and single-item assessment of these constructs. Recommendations for Practitioners Schools and families may consider self-reported concentration difficulties and intentional platform use as part of broader digital-literacy initiatives. Patterns of platform use and platform-specific behavioral responses may also provide useful contextual information for professionals working with young people. However, the present findings do not support specific clinical, educational, or parental interventions. Recommendations for Researchers Future research should more clearly distinguish between exposure time, mode of engagement, passive consumption, and platform-specific characteristics. It should employ validated multi-item measures, larger sample sizes, and longitudinal or experimental designs. Impact on Society The findings highlight the value of considering how young users engage with contemporary information environments rather than relying exclusively on screen-time measures. They also suggest that self-reported concentration may represent an important domain for further investigation within increasingly adaptive and continuous digital information environments. Future Research Longitudinal and multi-method studies are needed to clarify temporal direction, possible reciprocal relationships between primary-platform use and self-reported concentration, and the role of individual, family, developmental, and platform-related factors. Keywords