Matthew Ring Research Paper

Older generations don’t realize how much technology has affected this generation of teenagers, along with the social media that comes along with the technology. As stated in “How Social Media Changed Teens’ Lives Forever”; “Negative posts or comments also can do great damage to a teen’s self-esteem.” (Ashley Black, Thomas Atseff and Colleen Kaveney) While many parents think social media is just a way to connect with others, many teenagers take it for granted. For example, “quitting social media because it made her miserable and obsessed with appearing perfect online”, is what a teenager felt about social media and what it has done to her. Though many think that social media is a great way to connect, teenagers take it to another level.

Melissa Healy, a reporter of the Los Angeles Times, in the article Teenage Social Media Butterflies May Not Be Such A Bad Idea, claims that kids who spend lots of time on social media are not the least well-adjusted, but psychologically healthiest. Healy supports her argument by demonstrating how social media is beneficial to a teen’s health. According to a three-year Digital Youth Project, when teengars use social media, it helps them develop important social skills such as communication, grappling with social norms, and developing technical skills. Psychology professor Kaveri Subrahmanyam describes that teens behave the same between offline relationships and online ones, so most teens will use the internet safely. The author’s purpose is

Some people may wonder what effect social media has on people worldwide. Many people are using social media daily and because of that, they might not know the effects that can be lurking behind a screen and causing harm to their mental health. Social media has many negative effects on mental health. Some people could think that mental health and social media has no relation, when it does. It is a fast-growing issue with many “cause and effect” reasons behind it. Each cause needs to be recognized along with the effect it has on the people who use social media.

Social media has been known to help students develop important knowledge and social skills. “At first glance this may seem like a waste of time; however it also helps students to develop important knowledge and social skills, and be active citizens who create and share content.” (Chen 3). The more time teens spend on social media the more they become aware of their own social side and how to interact with others, especially their peers. “Some types of social media has beneficial effects, like helping adolescents establish some sense of identity and build networking skills” (Riley Davis). Too much time being spent on social media can also exploit teens to some harsh realities that they’ve probably never experienced in their lives before.

The first thought that comes to mind when hearing “the fastest game on ice” is of course, hockey. Wrong! For anyone familiar with the game of “Ringette”, we know it's not hockey! It’s a well- known fact that on average the average person has never heard of the game. Many would ask, what’s that? or do you play it in the gymnasium? No. But the main point is that I believe ringette should be known and played more on the global scale. One, it has been a positive health benefactor for me when I was younger. It helped enhance my capabilities and character, as well as improved the support for becoming an Olympic winter sport.

Victims of cyberbullying are twice as likely to have attempted suicides, opposed to adolescents who were not the target of online attacks. Ring goes on to talk about how she herself struggled with an eating disorder when she was in high school, and her own son suffered from feelings of anxiety and depression, and this had a negative effect on her family. She stated that one of the biggest questions her and her husband faced as parents was whether access to social media would harm or help him with his issues. According to the Pew Research Center, more than 92% of teens report going online daily, 24% of those "almost constantly”. The article states that even though Facebook is the most common social network site used by American teens, other platforms are growing rapidly in popularity. Instagram and Snapchat rank second and third, and Tumblr, Kik Messenger and Vine are growing in use. After meeting with an experienced social worker, Ring’s son Matthew started using Instagram as a source of connection. He said it helped him realize that other kids were having the same problems. Ring and her husband worked with Matthew to find sites that were an actual support, offering messages of “staying

The advent of social technology may bear some responsibility for anxiety and depression in adolescents, teenagers, and young adults. Facebook, Twitter, Snapchat and Instagram -- they are all fun -- until things get out of hand. The 2014 National College Health Assessment, a survey of nearly 80,000 college students throughout the United States, found that 54% of students reported experiencing overwhelming anxiety in the past 12 months and that 32.6% "felt so depressed that it was difficult to function" during the same period. The study also found that 6.4% had "intentionally, cut, burned, bruised or otherwise injured" themselves, that 8.1% had seriously considered suicide and that 1.3% had attempted suicide (Potarazu). Sreedhar uses logos to support how social media have some part in the causes of anxiety and depression in adolescents, teenagers, and young adults. He uses the survey data conducted by The National College Health Assessment to prove his point.

Communication barriers are not the only issue that has been brought on by social media. Extensive social media use has also been known to affect a person’s self-esteem. Some individuals suffer from a low self-esteem and limit themselves to social media in hopes to create a different image of them. According to Charles Cooley, “The thing that moves us to pride or shame is not the mere mechanical reflection of ourselves, but an imputed sentiment, the imagined effect of this reflection upon another's mind" (Morine, 2009). For some teens and young adults, social media may help them open up and achieve a higher self-esteem. On the other hand, social media on other teens and young adults may have a completely opposite effect. In an article titled, Is Facebook Making Your Child Depressed, it is stated that social media websites such as Facebook “can create a skewed reality that makes teens feel alienated” (PR, 2012). When a person, that is not completely happy with their life, goes onto social media and reads all about other people enjoying a multitude of activities and enjoying their lives this could

Over fifteen million people in the United States are diagnosed with social anxiety, and in today’s world the number of causes linked to social media is on the rise. Most of these cases are in individuals starting at thirteen, but the ages rage significantly. According to The American Association of Depression and Anxiety social anxiety can be defined as, “The extreme fear of being scrutinized and judged by others in social or performance situations.” This type of anxiety is closely linked with feeling of loneliness; and this loneliness only intensifies the feelings of anxiety and paranoia. Social paranoia stems from the fear rejection. These individuals are terrified they will humiliate or embarrass themselves, so they simply withdraw. This specificity type of anxiety interferes significantly with daily routines, occupational performance, or social life, making it difficult to complete school, interview and get a job, create true friendships and romantic relationships.

Social media seems to be one of the many hot topics of discussion recently, and consequently many people have the false sense of security that they have a profound knowledge on how it affects the health of the teenage population. A sedentary lifestyle, decreased sleep, as well as other physical health conditions seem to come to mind when one links health and social media. However, there is a much bigger problem that can go unnoticed because it can be impossible to see: the impact it has on mental and emotional health. These branches of health are just as important, and even arguably more important than physical health is. Social media can be utilized to connect with distant friends and express oneself; however, teenagers should refrain from the overuse of social media due to its detrimental effects on their mental and emotional health.

From "thintastic" blogs to suicide stories, social media has become not only a source of conversation but a gateway to harmful suggestions that many teenagers see and believe to be allowable, when in fact the situations proposed are dangerous to those who attempt them. Statistics show that 20% of anorexic teenagers will die prematurely, and 80% of teenagers who commit suicide are depressed (South). Social media has glorified and brought to attention eating disorders, depression, and suicide among teens that might otherwise not become a statistic in these critical categories.

Some say people who use social networking sites are prone to social isolation. Despite opposition, I am convinced that social networking helps people who are shy and socially isolated to connect with other people. This concludes that social networking can help people who have low self esteem other than lowering their self-esteem any more.Although many argue that social networking can exacerbate feelings of disconnect and put children at higher risk for depression, low self-esteem and eating disorders,I believe otherwise. According to my research, I have found that more than 25% of teens report that social makes them feel less shy, 28% feel more outgoing, 20% report feeling more confident,in which 53% of teens were identified as being shy (5 Boroughs). This means that social networking brings out a better person in most, and makes them feel better about themselves other than feeling bad inside.

Even though social media isn’t only used for social interaction, it is an important aspect of adolescents’ lives. Social media provides an avenue for them to stay connected with peers they have met through school, sports teams, church, etc (Ito, 2008). Social networking can also help shy adolescents have a more non-threatening way to interact with peers because they aren’t interacting face-to-face (Rosen, 2011).

Loneliness and social depression are additional effects of social networks. Teenagers live to compare. The questions of “Whose smarter/prettier/thinner/more fun?” always seem to be in mind and social networking sites are making this worse. With the ability to view others changed profile pictures, status updates, and check ins. These online destinations have also been reported increase cyber bullying, and the feeling of rejection, Aaron Smith states. For example when a girl sees her ex change relationship statues, yet she clearly has not moved on yet, seeing it right there knowing all their friends can see it, only caused harm and sadness that could have been avoided. Also teenagers who are naturally outgoing start losing the distinction between genuine friends and acquaintances. People are spending time maintaining relationships with

In general, the use social networking has many health and developmental benefits for the youth of today. Most teens have online accounts that they use to strengthen their friendships and stay connected with the people around them such as, school friends and teachers, groups they may be involved in, and maybe even family that are far away. Social networking also allows for an outlet to help teens with mental and moral support that they may lack in reality. This is really important especially for the youth who don’t necessarily have anyone to talk to or be there for them. Although one might argue that there are hotlines to help depressed youth, sometimes it’s not the same as having the support from your favorite social media site.