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Philosophy
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Dec 6, 2023
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Evaluating Arguments from Scholarly Sources
Kayla Hall
The University of Arizona Global Campus
PHI 103: Informal Logic
Dr. Daniel Haynes
November 6, 2023
Introduction
In this paper, I will delve into the topic of whether social media can affect mental health.
Specifically, I will address the question: "Can social media affect your mental well-being?" This topic
holds immense importance in the current digital age, where social media platforms have become an
integral part of our daily lives. As social media usage continues to rise, it is crucial to examine the
potential implications it may have on mental health. Through this exploration, I aim to understand the
potential benefits or risks associated with social media use and its impact on individuals' psychological
well-being. By presenting and evaluating arguments from scholarly sources, I will shed light on the
complex relationship between social media and mental health. Through this analysis, I intend to
contribute to a comprehensive understanding of the subject matter and its implications for individuals'
overall well-being.
Source #1: Social media does not affect mental health
Coyne, S. M., Rogers, A. A., Zurcher, J. D., Stockdale, L., & Booth, M. (2020). Does time
spent using social media impact mental health?: An eight year longitudinal
study.
Computers in Human Behavior
,
104
(106160), 106160.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chb.2019.106160
The article titled "Does time spent using social media impact mental health? An eight-
year longitudinal study" examines the relationship between social media use and mental health
over an extended period. The study addresses the limitations of previous research, which
mainly relied on cross-sectional designs and failed to analyze individual changes over time. The
research involved 500 adolescents who completed annual questionnaires from ages 13 to 20.
The findings challenge the prevailing notion that increased social media usage leads to
heightened mental health issues. Contrary to previous studies, this longitudinal analysis
revealed no significant association between increased time spent on social media and an
elevated risk of depression and anxiety at the individual level. The study underscores the need
to move beyond a narrow focus on screen time when exploring the impact of social media on
mental health. It highlights the complexity of this relationship and suggests that other factors
may play a role. By offering a long-term perspective, the research provides valuable insights into
the nuanced dynamics between social media use and mental well-being.
Source #2:
Karim, F., Oyewande, A., & Abdalla, L. (2020). Social Media Use and Its Connection to
Mental Health: A Systematic Review.
Cureus
,
12
(6).
https://doi.org/10.7759/cureus.8627
This systematic review examines the connection between social media use and mental health.
After selecting 16 research papers from a pool of 50, the study categorizes the findings into two
outcomes: anxiety and depression. While some studies suggest that social media activity can
have a positive impact on mental health, there are significant variations due to the study
designs and limitations of sampling. The article emphasizes the need for qualitative research
and vertical cohort studies to further analyze the influence of social media on mental health.
The review highlights the importance of studying the impact of social media on mental health,
as it has become an integral part of many people's lives. It acknowledges that prolonged social
media use can be associated with negative signs and symptoms of depression, anxiety, and
stress. The study concludes that further research is necessary to gain a comprehensive
understanding of the complex relationship between social media use and mental health
outcomes.
Source #3: Social media affect mental health
Jeri-Yabar, A., Sanchez-Carbonel, A., Tito, K., Ramirez-delCastillo, J., Torres-Alcantara,
A., Denegri, D., & Carreazo, Y. (2018). Association between social media use
(Twitter, Instagram, Facebook) and depressive symptoms: Are Twitter users at
higher risk?
International Journal of Social Psychiatry
,
65
(1), 14–19.
https://doi.org/10.1177/0020764018814270
This article explores the association between social media use (specifically Twitter, Instagram,
and Facebook) and depressive symptoms, focusing on whether Twitter users are at a higher risk.
The study was conducted among 212 students from a private university in Peru. The
participants completed questionnaires to measure their level of social media dependence and
depressive symptoms. The results indicate a significant association between social media
dependence and depressive symptoms, with a higher prevalence ratio observed among
individuals who preferred using Twitter over Instagram and Facebook. The study highlights the
potential negative impact of excessive social media use on university students' mental health,
particularly in relation to depressive symptoms. The findings emphasize the need for further
examination of the relationship between social media dependence and mental well-being,
particularly among at-risk populations such as teenagers.perspective, suggesting that social
media can exploit humans' natural desire for social acceptance, particularly among those
experiencing insecurity or low self-worth.
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