Negative Social Media

In his article, “Is Facebook Making Us Lonely?” Stephen Marche argues that Facebook is the vital cause for loneliness and is luring people away from social capital. According to Marche, social networking isolates individuals and creates distance, mostly amongst family members. For some, it is not only isolation but rather social loneliness. The author claims that health can also be effected by loneliness. Nowadays, due to very little verbal person to person communication, he writes that people have never been so separated from one another because of social media. Facebook users, Marche argues, have an addiction to profoundly visit their account constantly leading to the feeling of loneliness and in most cases depression. The author claims that social networking, instead of demolishing isolation, is unknowingly spreading it. Ultimately, However, Stephen’s argument fails to convince due to his abundant false assumptions and the articles confusing organization.

Social media, like Facebook and Twitter seems to be growing popular worldwide in the last few years. Have you found yourself or someone else in an awkward situation and instantly pull out your phone to scrawl through Facebook or Twitter just to keep from talking to someone in the elevator or doctor’s office? Is social media like Facebook and Twitter making us lonely human beings? One man, Stephen Marche, wrote “Is Facebook Making Us Lonely,” published in May of 2012 issue in The Atlantic thinks that social media might play a role in it alongside with other things.

In Stephen Marche’s article, Facebook is a reason people are becoming move lonely and standard. The relationship between technology and loneliness is strong. According to the article people who spend their time on devices and social network sights are finding themselves lacking in the ability to communicate in person. One effect that is brought up throughout the article is loneliness, in which is made the more often one drowns themselves in social media. Facebook in particular, is the

The ability to support the older people keep up social ties with the use of technical devices such as telephone is vital, and there is indication that older people may benefit from the use of internet as a befriending opportunity (Skingley, 2013). According to Age UK (2009), there is no evidence to effectiveness of services aimed at reducing loneliness and social isolation among older people, but concludes that there is a need to focus on befriending services for older people, in particular the effectiveness of such services in terms of their impact on older people’s quality of life and their overall preventive value.

As the UK population rapidly ages, one of the biggest challenges faced by the society is that of loneliness and social isolation consequently the issue must be addressed in the interest of the wider population and community. “Loneliness” is a subjective feeling of a loss of meaningful social relationships, while “social isolation” is an objective measurement indicating a lack of social interaction and relationships which could be caused by deterioration in health (Biordi and Nicholson 2008).

This study investigated the difference between emotional and social loneliness using structural equation modeling, evaluated whether a two-dimensional or unidimensional conception of loneliness provides a better fit to the data. Second, the extent to which positive and negative social exchanges are associated with older adults’ loneliness was examined. Third, they also investigated whether the structure and social-exchange correlates of loneliness differ for currently married versus formerly married older

When the connection to one’s social sphere in any capacity is lost or very poorly maintained, there results a substantial suffering for the individual. Presently, the elderly (aged 65 and older) account for almost 15% of the population in Canada (Stats Canada, 2011), with the number increasing each year. Furthermore, the 2011 census illustrated that for the first time ever, there are more people in the age group of 55-64, than there were those aged 15-24 (Stats Canada, 2011), indicating that the elderly population will soon distinctively increase. With this, there exists a need in current society to provide added support for the elderly, particular those who find themselves living in isolation, as many often do. As one ages and social supports diminish or become lacking, the resulting

While I was reading, I found the article regarding loneliness and our pursuit of finding happiness via the Internet engaging (article found on page 4). I presume that many people, young and old, including myself, are affected by the Internet in this manner. Whether it be via Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat, or one of the numerous other networks, we are continuously demanding, seeking, and finding a validation from others. Our "likes" appear to verify our popularity and, similarly, our "followers" seemingly define our likability. We, because our attention is concentrated on our Internet "connections", habitually disregard the immeasurably precious in person interactions that we miss by enabling our

As mentioned above, loneliness can branch off while being in a long distance relationship. Loneliness is feelings of sadness from missing companionship from a person or people one shared feelings with (Fees, Martin & Poon, 1999). This can be felt even when surrounded by others because it is a personal feeling and there is a lack of communication and attachment (Fees et.al, 1999). The journals of gerontology series B: psychological sciences and social science addresses a journal article called A Model of Loneliness in Older Adults. The older generation faces loss of a committed relationship and communication which results in a decline in health and personal activities and waves of sadness (Fees et.al, 1999). It was found that 40% of the elderly population experience some form of loneliness (Fees et.al, 1999). The elderly population, aged 65 and older gets anxiety from missing people or activities. The frequency of contact and number of family members was not a

However, it is essential for older adults to understand their needs and live happy lives without worrying about environmental demands. Therefore at times, older individuals may choose specific activities in which to participate (Lawton, 1982). Older adults may sustain longevity in friendships and relationships. However, Rawlins (2004), suggests older aging adults and younger individuals have the same needs for friendships, and there is a correlation for quality friendships and the number of friendships and life satisfaction (Rawlins,

In keeping with the above-mentioned factors, one particular participant surrounded by a very limited network size, also lacking informal care being provided by close family members, was finding informal assistance by nonkin caregivers, his friends. The nature of assistance provided to him was primarily focused on assistance with his medication and its provision, transport and company to hospital appointments, praying together, while ADL’s tasks and personal care were performed by the older person himself. These types of support, as shown in this study, substantiate a couple of previous studies by Bamford, Philipson, Wenger (as cited in Nocon and Pearson, 2000), who found that friends play a pivotal role as a helping resort to many older persons with dissipated family or with no immediate relatives at all, especially in providing support and companionship. Furthermore, friendship is seen as an essential part of a person’s sense of wellbeing in old age, helping in maintaining morale and self-identity also as a fount of psycho-social support.

Freberg, K., Adams, R., McGaughey, K., & Freberg, L. (2010). The rich get richer: Online and offline social connectivity predicts subjective loneliness. Media Psychology Review, 3(1).

So yes, it appears Facebook may play a small role in loneliness, however, the author does not explicitly state that Facebook is the only culprit. He is eager to recite numerous facts about loneliness and its negative effects but, it is hard for me to agree that Facebook is the sole contributor, if

There are many reasons to why elderly persons can fall at risk of social isolation and loneliness. These factors can range anywhere from

There are a number of population groups vulnerable to loneliness. However, elderly people are often more so targeted by loneliness which is owed to ‘loss of friends and family, loss of mobility or loss of income’.(Saito) Because of this, there has been an increased public concern on the issue of loneliness in senior populations. The statistics on population aging in developed countries are well known. Those aged 60 and above currently account for approximately 20 percent of the population in developed countries and this proportion is expected to rise to 24 percent by 2030. In the next 20 years, the population of those aged over 80 will triple and those over 90 will double.(aging statistics) As the population of the elderly in these