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Southern New Hampshire University *

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111BA

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Communications

Date

Jan 9, 2024

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docx

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Prof: Dr. Trevor Adams Introduction As social beings, humans are naturally wired to seek companionship, finding fulfillment in our interpersonal connections. Platforms like Instagram, Facebook and X allow us to stay connected with friends and family across the globe as well as connect with people who have similar interests or passions. These platforms have aided technology in making our world more connected than ever before by serving as news outlet, and social arena. However, amid the advantages, it is crucial that we acknowledge the dark side of social media, recognizing that this virtual landscape cannot be substituted for face-to-face interaction and that excessive use of these platforms may be responsible for poor mental health and low self-esteem among users (Robinson & Smith, 2023). Having grown up in the digital age, I have witnessed the evolution of platforms from the early days of Facebook to the current dominating platforms of TikTok and Instagram. As these platforms have evolved over the years, something that has piqued my interest is the shift toward an increasingly addictive nature seemingly inherent to these applications. I have witnessed these platforms transform from tools used for communication and connection to something that often consumes a significant portion of our daily lives, often without the user realizing how much time has passed. I have also seen the impact of social media use on my peers and the people around me. It has become a powerful influencer, shaping opinions, behaviors, and impacting mental health. In this new and different digital era, I cannot help but be concerned about the younger generation that is growing up in and with a completely different internet than I did.

Primary Argument In the primary article, the argument the authors are making is that social media has both positive and negative impacts on mental health. They argue that while platforms benefit users by providing a method to stay connected, find connection and promote worthwhile causes, excessive or overuse of social media can have disastrous effects and can lead to an increased risk for depression, anxiety, self-harm, and suicidal ideation (Robinson & Smith, 2023). The article concludes with the authors urging readers to be mindful of their online habits, sharing examples of indicators that social media may be impacting mental health such as low self-esteem as a result of comparison, being a target or instigator of cyberbullying and feeling distracted at work or school. Additionally, the authors encourage readers to find a healthy balance between virtual and in-person connection, and to practice gratitude to improve mental health. I believe that the argument being made in this article is inductive and strong, with the only observable weakness being, as the authors stated, a lack of long-term research on the impacts of social media. Despite this however, the authors build their case by highlighting studies from St. John Hopkins and other social science journals that describe a link between the platforms and poor mental health. They also share statistics about the prevalence of cyberbullying among teens. Premise 1: Social connections significantly influence mental health and happiness. Premise 2: Social media cannot replace real-world social connections. Conclusion: Excessive social media use can negatively impact mental health.

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