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Social Media And The Negative Outcomes

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There have been numerous connections in studies between the use of social media and the negative outcomes it imposes on young adults. Some examples include increased anxiety, depression, loneliness, and worthlessness. These potential negative effects raise concerns about young adults’ increased usage of social media within the past decade. Lenhard, Purcell, and Smith (2010), assert in their journal the following: “93% of young adults between the ages of 18 and 29 go online; 72% of young adults use social networking websites; and one-third of all online young adults subscribe to Twitter” (p. 5). Further research has shown that the mental health illness, in particular depression, is one of the most common health issues impacting the college …show more content…

1). It may cause a person to have trouble doing normal day-to-day activities, and sometimes believing that life is not worth living (Mayo Clinic Staff, 2015, para. 1). In a Microsoft study, a positive correlation was found between depression and intense use of Twitter among college individuals (DeChoudhury, Gamon, Counts, & Horvitz, 2013). Similar findings were found in a study conducted by Rosen et al. (2013), who concluded that higher rates of clinical depression and loneliness were found in participants who spend time online and manage their Facebook profile picture regularly. Furthermore, according to Kalpidou, Costin, and Morris (2011), college students with a high number of Facebook friends were found to experience a lesser degree of emotional adjustment to college life. In the same study, college students who spent more time on Facebook were found to have lower self-esteem than those who spent less time on Facebook. Anxiety is a disorder best defined as a constant state of excessive unease and apprehension, usually accompanied by compulsive behavior or panic attacks (Attwell, 2006, p.2). Other studies are shown to link anxiety and compulsive behavior to social media usage. In the study conducted by Rosen et al. (2013), younger generations are checking their connectivity with others quite often; often defined as every hour, ten minutes, or every few seconds.

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