Arguments against my position: The increased use of social networking
sites by adolescents and young adults has contributed
to negative consequences on mental health such as
depression, anxiety, and other mental issues.
Argument #1: Social
networking allows people from all over the world to
communicate and interact with one another to spread
awareness for a cause, further a business, or even to just
simply create new relationships.
Cross sectional studies found that increased social
networking site use is associated with increased intimacy
and relationship quality among friends (Shapiro &
Margolin, 2013, p. 8).
Evidence suggests that social networking sites are just as
important as in person communication and help associate
teens with pro-social influences (Francomano & Harpin,
2015, p. 13).
Argument #2: Social networking sites give people the
opportunity to express themselves to ultimately be able to
form their identities.
Research has shown that positive use of social media can
lead to authentic self-presentation online which is
beneficial for the formation of one's identity (Berryman,
Ferguson, & Negy, 2017, p. 308).
Sharing personal information about oneself and receiving
responses is known as self disclosure which is critical in
forming one's identity (Shapiro & Margolin,
2013, p. 9).
Sources
Berryman, C., Ferguson, C. J., &
Negy, C. (2017). Social Media Use and Mental Health
among Young Adults. Psychiatric Quarterly, 89(2), 307–314.
doi:10.1007/s11126-017-9535-6
Francomano,
J. A., & Harpin, S. B. (2015). Utilizing Social
Networking Sites to Promote Adolescents’ Health. CIN:
Computers, Informatics, Nursing, 33(1),
10–20. doi: 10.1097/cin.0000000000000113
Shapiro, L. A. S., & Margolin, G. (2013).
Growing Up Wired: Social Networking Sites and Adolescent
Psychosocial Development. Clinical Child and Family
Psychology Review, 17(1), 1–18. doi:
10.1007/s10567-013-0135-1