JultikaUniversity of Oulu repository

The development of online communication has changed the ways people communicate. Today’s generation of adolescents grew up with these technologies and are among the extensive users (Shapiro & Margolin, 2014). Although justifications have been laid on adolescents’ regular use, there is minimum understanding towards the values and capabilities of online communication to this age group (Poole & Peyton, 2013). This study examined the possible positive outcome of online communication towards adolescents’ friendship quality. A self-report questionnaire which is a combination of three existing measures was used to examine the ways participants use online communication. The Network of Relationship Inventory (NRI) by Furman & Buhrmester (1985) was used to measure online communication and friendship quality. Supporting Questions were asked to help understand the relationship. The self- Disclosure Index developed by Miller, Berg & Archer (1983) was used to measure the extent of disclosure. The Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale was used to evaluate individual self-esteem. The result showed a significant relationship between the frequency of use of online communication and friendship quality subscales support and satisfaction. However, an insignificant result was shown in subscale conflict. A significant result was shown on disclosure and friendship quality and weak significance on disclosure and self-esteem. The relationship between online communication and self-esteem showed an insignificant result. The findings that online communication positively impacts support and satisfaction is a good start for understanding the adolescents’ consistent use of online communication. Limitations of the study and future directions are discussed.