A latent class analysis of adolescents' technology and interactive social media use: Associations with academics and substance use.

Latent class analysis was used to identify patterns of technology and social media use among adolescents in a national study ( n = 26,348). Multinomial logistic regression was used to examine associations between latent classes and academics and substance use. Results demonstrated four classes: Infrequent Users (55%), Interactive Users (21%), Television Watchers (14%), and Constant Users (10%). Compared to Infrequent Users, Interactive , and Constant Users had lower grades and higher alcohol and marijuana use. Television Watchers had lower grades and participated in fewer extracurricular activities compared to Infrequent Users , but there were no differences on substance use. Results show that adolescents with the most media-intensive profiles were also at greater risk for poor academic outcomes and substance use.