Argumentative Essay - Liam Easey (1)

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Lone Star College System, Woodlands *

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1301

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English

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Dec 6, 2023

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docx

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Liam Easey Ms. Montgomery ENGL 1301 10/19/2023 The Use Of Social Media And Its Impact On Youth Mental Health: The growing use of social media is leading to an increase in mental health problems. In a time where social media and technology is woven into the fabric of our daily life, there is an expanding concern about the potential negative side effects it can have on developing minds. While social media can create an area for people to connect and express themselves, it also exposes youth to a variety of mental health challenges. Social media platforms can often become breeding grounds for feelings of inadequacy. According to McLean Hospital, "For young people, Instagram and Snapchat tend to have a negative impact on mental health because they are image-based platforms where users have a tendency to present a curated stream of their 'best' photos and often form unrealistic standards of beauty and success" ("It or Not: Is Social Media Affecting Your Mental Health"). This presentation of content can create feelings of anxiety, depression, and a sense of not being able to fit in with the beauty or social “norms”. Additionally, these platforms create an environment where users may feel pressured to maintain a false identity of perfection, further increasing the issue. Cyberbullying is another concerning aspect of social media and can contribute to the decline in mental health among the youth. According to HelpGuide, "Online harassment and bullying can be just as harmful as in-person bullying, sometimes even more so" ("Social Media and Mental Health"). Teens and children who fall victim to online harassment often suffer from anxiety, depression, and, in severe cases, may contemplate self-harm or suicide. The persistent nature of online harassment means that the victim can't easily escape the torment, leading to ongoing stress and emotional trauma. Additionally, the unhealthy comparisons caused by social media can fuel mental health issues among young users. Lancaster General Health states that "Scrolling through other people’s posts, seeing friends enjoying their lives, or looking at influencers can lead to comparisons and feeling like your own life doesn’t measure up" ("The Effects of Social Media on Mental Health''). These comparisons can lead to poor self-esteem, anxiety, and a sense of dissatisfaction with one's own life. These negative comparisons often forget to account for the fact that the majority of the people they are viewing are creating an ideal online persona that usually doesn’t reflect their reality. In conclusion, social media has become a prevalent part of the lives of young people, but it

comes at a cost. The evidence is clear and it points to serious negative side effects on the minds of the youth. The continuous exposure to idealized images or personas, the persistent cyberbullying, and the habit of making unhealthy comparisons have contributed to an increase in mental health issues among the youth. It is important to address these issues and develop strategies to ensure that social media platforms can serve as tools for positive engagement rather than petri dishes for mental health challenges to fester. The well-being of our youth is at stake, and the impact of social media on their mental health cannot be igno red. McLean Hospital . "It or Not: Is Social Media Affecting Your Mental Health." Accessed on October 19, 2023. [ https://www.mcleanhospital.org/essential/it-or-not-social-medias-affecting- your-mental-health ] HelpGuide . "Social Media and Mental Health." Accessed on October 19, 2023. [ https://www.helpguide.org/articles/mental-health/social-media-and-mental-health.htm ] Lancaster General Health . "The Effects of Social Media on Mental Health." Accessed on October 19, 2023. [ https://www.lancastergeneralhealth.org/health-hub-home/2021/september/the-effects-of-social- media-on-mental-health ]

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