Question
Social networking has become a big part of our lives, and its negative effects can be overlooked. But mental health experts are starting to notice—and what they are finding is disturbing.
2As the popularity of social media skyrockets, so do reports of “Facebook depression.” Like other kinds of depression, its common signs are anxiety, low self-confidence, and loneliness.
3This form of depression hits those who worry too much about what others think. It largely affects young people because they tend to worry most about others’ opinions. The constant need to see how they’re “measuring up” can cause people to feel huge amounts of stress.
4Studies have found that people who get their sense of self-worth from others are more likely to keep checking their status. They want to monitor their updates, wall posts, and photos to see how well or how poorly they’re measuring up. The feeling that they’re missing out on something makes it hard to take a break. And they don’t have to—smartphones have made it possible to log in from any place at any time. The result is more stress.
5Social networking can cause serious emotional problems. Everyone knows the effects of online bullying. There are other ways to damage a person’s self-confidence. “When ‘friends’ upload unflattering photos and post mean comments, it can seriously damage a person’s self-image,” says one mental health expert. In addition, getting no response to a post or not being “friended” can also be very painful.
6The effects can be physical, too. Frequent users of social media often suffer from pain in their fingers and wrists. Blood vessels in their eyes and necks can narrow. Their backs can ache from being hunched over phones and computers for hours at a time.
7Texting is another problem created by technology. Half the nation’s youth send 50 or more text messages a day. One study found that young people send an average of 34 texts a night after they get into bed! This loss of sleep can affect the ability to concentrate, problem-solve, and learn.
8Not all experts agree with this analysis. Some point to the benefits of social media. Dr. Megan Moreno is an assistant professor of pediatrics and adolescent medicine. She believes that social networking helps develop a young person’s sense of community. She also believes that it can be used to identify youth who are most at risk for depression. “Our studies have found that adolescents often share feelings of depression on Facebook,” she says. “Social media is a tool; it cannot in and of itself cause mental illness,” says Dr. Moreno. She insists that young people had problems before computers came into being.
9Maybe so. In the past, however, young people found ways to escape from their problems. Now, smartphones and other high-tech devices have made escape impossible. Is that progress?
10Technology should simplify life, not complicate it. The danger of social media is that young users can eventually lose their ability to focus on what is most important in life—no matter what path they choose to follow.
Answer to Text Box1:
Answer to Text Box 2:
Additional Notes/Ideas:
2As the popularity of social media skyrockets, so do reports of “Facebook depression.” Like other kinds of depression, its common signs are anxiety, low self-confidence, and loneliness.
3This form of depression hits those who worry too much about what others think. It largely affects young people because they tend to worry most about others’ opinions. The constant need to see how they’re “measuring up” can cause people to feel huge amounts of stress.
4Studies have found that people who get their sense of self-worth from others are more likely to keep checking their status. They want to monitor their updates, wall posts, and photos to see how well or how poorly they’re measuring up. The feeling that they’re missing out on something makes it hard to take a break. And they don’t have to—smartphones have made it possible to log in from any place at any time. The result is more stress.
5Social networking can cause serious emotional problems. Everyone knows the effects of online bullying. There are other ways to damage a person’s self-confidence. “When ‘friends’ upload unflattering photos and post mean comments, it can seriously damage a person’s self-image,” says one mental health expert. In addition, getting no response to a post or not being “friended” can also be very painful.
6The effects can be physical, too. Frequent users of social media often suffer from pain in their fingers and wrists. Blood vessels in their eyes and necks can narrow. Their backs can ache from being hunched over phones and computers for hours at a time.
7Texting is another problem created by technology. Half the nation’s youth send 50 or more text messages a day. One study found that young people send an average of 34 texts a night after they get into bed! This loss of sleep can affect the ability to concentrate, problem-solve, and learn.
8Not all experts agree with this analysis. Some point to the benefits of social media. Dr. Megan Moreno is an assistant professor of pediatrics and adolescent medicine. She believes that social networking helps develop a young person’s sense of community. She also believes that it can be used to identify youth who are most at risk for depression. “Our studies have found that adolescents often share feelings of depression on Facebook,” she says. “Social media is a tool; it cannot in and of itself cause mental illness,” says Dr. Moreno. She insists that young people had problems before computers came into being.
9Maybe so. In the past, however, young people found ways to escape from their problems. Now, smartphones and other high-tech devices have made escape impossible. Is that progress?
10Technology should simplify life, not complicate it. The danger of social media is that young users can eventually lose their ability to focus on what is most important in life—no matter what path they choose to follow.
Answer to Text Box1:
Answer to Text Box 2:
Additional Notes/Ideas:
Answers
GPT-4o mini
**Answer to Text Box 1:**
The negative effects of social media on mental health can manifest as "Facebook depression," characterized by anxiety, low self-confidence, and feelings of loneliness, particularly among young people. This phenomenon is linked to individuals' preoccupation with others' opinions and the constant comparison of their lives to those of peers. The pressure to present a perfect image online and the fear of missing out (FOMO) can lead to high levels of stress. Additionally, the social media experience can be further complicated by online bullying, unflattering photos, and negative comments, which can severely impact self-image. Frequent social media usage also has physical repercussions, such as pain in fingers, wrists, and backs, stemming from prolonged device use. Coupled with technology-related issues like excessive texting leading to sleep deprivation, the overall impact can hinder concentration and cognitive functioning.
---
**Answer to Text Box 2:**
While there are experts like Dr. Megan Moreno who argue that social media can foster community and even help identify at-risk youth, it is essential to recognize the potential drawbacks. The interconnectedness provided by social media can also prevent young people from finding constructive ways to escape their challenges. The constant access to social networks may distract them from what truly matters and complicate their lives rather than simplify them. The key is to find a balance, allowing for the benefits of social networking while mitigating its negative effects on mental health and overall well-being.
---
**Additional Notes/Ideas:**
1. **Balance and Moderation:** Encourage a balanced approach to social media usage among young people, prioritizing offline activities that promote mental well-being.
2. **Digital Literacy Education:** Implement educational programs to help youth navigate social media responsibly, understanding its implications on mental health.
3. **Parental Guidance:** Suggest that parents engage in conversations with their children about their online experiences, helping them to process their feelings and experiences constructively.
4. **Encouraging Real-Life Connections:** Promote face-to-face relationships and community involvement as a counterbalance to online interactions, highlighting the importance of real-world connections.
5. **Further Research:** Advocate for continued research in this area to better understand the complex relationship between social media and mental health, aiming to develop interventions that support vulnerable populations effectively.
The negative effects of social media on mental health can manifest as "Facebook depression," characterized by anxiety, low self-confidence, and feelings of loneliness, particularly among young people. This phenomenon is linked to individuals' preoccupation with others' opinions and the constant comparison of their lives to those of peers. The pressure to present a perfect image online and the fear of missing out (FOMO) can lead to high levels of stress. Additionally, the social media experience can be further complicated by online bullying, unflattering photos, and negative comments, which can severely impact self-image. Frequent social media usage also has physical repercussions, such as pain in fingers, wrists, and backs, stemming from prolonged device use. Coupled with technology-related issues like excessive texting leading to sleep deprivation, the overall impact can hinder concentration and cognitive functioning.
---
**Answer to Text Box 2:**
While there are experts like Dr. Megan Moreno who argue that social media can foster community and even help identify at-risk youth, it is essential to recognize the potential drawbacks. The interconnectedness provided by social media can also prevent young people from finding constructive ways to escape their challenges. The constant access to social networks may distract them from what truly matters and complicate their lives rather than simplify them. The key is to find a balance, allowing for the benefits of social networking while mitigating its negative effects on mental health and overall well-being.
---
**Additional Notes/Ideas:**
1. **Balance and Moderation:** Encourage a balanced approach to social media usage among young people, prioritizing offline activities that promote mental well-being.
2. **Digital Literacy Education:** Implement educational programs to help youth navigate social media responsibly, understanding its implications on mental health.
3. **Parental Guidance:** Suggest that parents engage in conversations with their children about their online experiences, helping them to process their feelings and experiences constructively.
4. **Encouraging Real-Life Connections:** Promote face-to-face relationships and community involvement as a counterbalance to online interactions, highlighting the importance of real-world connections.
5. **Further Research:** Advocate for continued research in this area to better understand the complex relationship between social media and mental health, aiming to develop interventions that support vulnerable populations effectively.