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, Nursing33(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 Review17(1), 1–18. doi: 10.1007/s10567-013-0135-1