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.
Kardaras, Nicolas. "Generation Z: Online and at Risk?." Scientific American Mind, vol. 27, no. 5, Sep/Oct 2016, pp. 64-9. MasterFILE Premier. Kardars discuss generation z use of social media affecting them negatively. He opens his article with a story of Heidi who becomes addicted to social media when her school issues her a Chromebook. Before Heidi is issued the laptop, she was a sweet innocent girl and after having it for a semester she became someone her parents could not recognize. He states that social media is a “perfect storm” for humans because having a social connection key to “happiness and health”. Having the ability to always use social media leads to hyper texting the illusion of a real connection making it hard for teens to have face to face conversations, making a teens become “glow kid[s]“, someone who is raised on mostly digital social interactions. Facebook depression” can result in the teen to have lower grades and behavior problems in teens. He concludes his article with facts proving that Facebook can become addictive in some people. This source helps support my thesis that Facebook affects teens mental health.
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
86% of kids who participate in social media are more likely to be better adjusted in their early adulthood(Healy). The real problem with social media is the immaturity not the technology. Many teenagers use it responsibly while others are immense risk takers and
Nobody is immune to the harmful side effects social media including privacy invasion, cyberbullying, depression, anxiety, and lack of empathy. The negative risks involved with the extensive use of social media by youngsters are significantly serious than the few positive things they get out of using social media. Youngsters should be educated about negative consequences of social media so that they won’t get trapped by social media. Appropriate use of social media by youngsters is required to minimize the negative
According to the Pew Research Center, “41% of social media-users have experienced at least one negative outcome as a result of using a social networking site.” In this article, Norton uses logos, pathos, and ethos to explain his standpoint to his audience. Logos are used when Norton brings up the legal issues of social media such as privacy concerns. Bringing the reader into Norton’s own personal experiences of abuse and name-calling uses pathos. Finally, ethos are used indirectly in the article due to the fact that Norton is a writer and has experience with social networking and the negative impact it can have. Norton uses logos, pathos, and ethos by establishing evidence and logical points in his article to persuade his audience against using social networking.
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.
In the article “Constant Social Media and Teens’ Mental Health” Alan Mozes theorizes that ninety percent of teens all around the world use social media. Meaning that this could be affecting their mental health. Adolescents are now vulnerable to depression, anxiety, and sleep deprivation due to social media use, says psychology administrator, Heather Cleland Woods. The article asserts that 467 people were asked about their social media use, what times of the day they use it, and the pressure they feel when they can not respond to a message. The tests show that those who were more involved and somewhat addicted to social media have the greater chance of depression, anxiety, and poor sleep. This test refutes that cutting the use of social media
Depression is a serious mental illness; it can affect an individual’s well-being, destroy their relationships with others, and even lead to suicide if left untreated. Though many of its causes are known, scientists are conducting research to see if social media now plays a role. Depression has become a much bigger issue in recent years; between 2010 and 2016, depression rates of adolescents in the U.S. rose about 60% (Heid 46). There’s a multitude of reasons for why this could be, but the rise in social media use is a very likely cause. A U.S. study determining the association between depression and social media claims that “Multiple studies have linked social media use with declines in subjective mood, sense of well-being, and life satisfaction” (Lin et al. 328). With this information, it’s definitely possible that there is a relationship between depression and social media usage. This may be because of the situations some people face online: comparing themselves to others through photos and status updates, coming across dangerous and stalking characters, and cyberbullying. The reason for this relationship may also be simply unknown. Whatever the cause, heavy social media users are highly at risk for symptoms of
In the current study, the first hypothesis emphasizes how individuals who spend a superfluous amount of time on social media platforms, can experience more depressive symptoms as well as anxiety. Based upon our data we predicted that higher levels of depression and anxiety are significantly correlated to higher social networking usage. Even though social networking has become a huge phenomenon, it does not mean that young adolescents should let it take over their daily routines and affect them in such a way that depression and anxiety begins to influence their mood. For example, they should not be greatly bothered if they do not get enough likes, followers, retweets, and other social networking responses. Social anxiety has often been associated with the use of social networking platforms, in turn, depression and general anxiety symptoms are also related (Amies, Gelder, & Shaw, 1983; Herbert, Hope, & Bellack, 1992; Kushner, Sher, & Beitman, 1990; Lecrubier et al., 2000; Wells, Tien, Garrison, & Eaton, 1994). The popularity of social media use has increased throughout the years due to the rapid change in modern technology. Furthermore, though many articles and studies have found a correlation between these variables,the data found indicated that this prediction was partially supported. When a pearson correlation test was made, a weak correlation between time spent on social networking sites and the severity of depressive symptoms was found, as well as a significant relation when testing the p-value.
Social media is extremely popular amongst Americans today, whether they are teenagers or the elderly. There is not just one social media outlet either; there are several different apps that have been created throughout the years, such as Facebook, Twitter, and Snapchat. Some people are completely for the usage of social media, saying that it is a great way to connect with friends and family, as well as release good and bad parts of their day. Others claim that social media is a waste of time and that it ruins lives. They also claim that no one, particularly younger children, should not be using any social media platforms. However, there are many known advantages for owning social media accounts, particularly Facebook and Twitter. The article
This topic would drive focus towards social media and its relation to stress, anxiety, and depression on college students. I chose not to pursue the effects of social media on adults because that is a world I feel disconnected from, and I can’t provide valuable insight to. I will try to incorporate social media’s effects on adults in comparison to teenagers and college students though. The difference in lifestyles between teenagers and college students (constantly surrounded by kids) can be very different compared to the lifestyles of adults (sometimes around others in corporate world, but usually smaller groups).
The most genuine complication of social media is addiction. A reporter on Salem health characterized that text messaging is no longer the biggest teenage obsession, and enormous phone bills from lengthy phone calls are no longer the biggest doubts for parents. These teenage addictions still remain, but in our generation and in analogy to the Facebook mania, it’s quite insignificant. Facebook addiction is advised to be a disorder driven by a craving. Not being able to access Facebook creates anxiety among fanatics. It is one of the most prominent social networking sites and has over one billion users without exception. People detach themselves from family and friends. Further symptoms of Facebook addiction have been related with needy sleep patterns. Researchers have also attempted to evaluate certain personality traits to the obsession. Being in touch with friends and family might clarify the logic why people are unreasonably obsessed.
The increased use of social media, and its prevalence in society, can have negative effect on individuals, especially adolescents, causing an increased incidence of depression and anxiety.
Our lives seem to be more and more consumed by technology as great advances in this area have continue to be made, especially when it comes to social media. Many researchers have begun to notice that depending on how much time individuals spend on these social media sites, they can negatively affect their daily lifestyle in very significant ways. For example, social networking has become a huge distraction for students and it can affect their grades depending on how often they check their various accounts while doing class work. Researchers have also come to find out that social media can contribute to the development of psychological symptoms
Social media has been dominating people’s lives for years now. It is a way for people to stay connected with their family, friends, and even see what their favorite celebrities are doing. Twitter, Facebook, Snapchat and Instagram are just a few of the social media sites that people love to use. These sites are used mostly by young adults. I believe social media can be a positive thing, but it can also have some negative effects. Young adults have become dependent on social media likes, retweets, followers and friends to determine validation and self-worth; these elements of social media are important to teenagers. Young adults need to take a step back from social media and focus more on reality, because they can become dependent on it, take it too seriously, and it can affect their mental health.