Peer Connections and Social Media Use Among Military-Connected Youth in Canada:  A Cross-Sectional Study

Military-connected youth, which includes those with a parent, caregiver, or other close family member involved with the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF), may face unique challenges such as frequent relocations, parental absence, or the risk of injury or death to the military-involved person. These stressors can impact both their peer connections and social media use. During adolescence, peer relationships play a crucial role in an individual’s health, yet there has been limited research on peer connections among military-connected youth in Canada. Similarly, social media has become increasingly significant in young people’s lives, but there is a lack of understanding regarding the potential positive and negative impacts of social networking sites on children in military families. This study aims to address these gaps by investigating whether Canadian military family membership is associated with low peer support or problematic social media use, which will provide valuable insights with implications for promoting the overall well-being and resilience of military-connected youth in Canada.