Arguments for 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.

Arguments #1: Excess use of social networking sites can increase feelings of envy, loneliness, and anxiety which can lead to depression.

A study conducted in 2014 included 10,930 adolescents from different countries in Europe, and revealed that a positive relationship existed between excess use of social media as well as depression and anxiety (Keles, Mccrae, & Grealish, 2019, p. 87).

Extreme use of social networking sites during odd hours such as late at night can be greatly related to both depression and anxiety (Mukhopadhyay, Barman, & Bandyopadhyay, 2018, p. 344).

Argument #2: Increased use of social networking sites causes less face to face, personal communication which is critical to developing proper social skills.

Due to less face to face communication, excessive use of social networking sites may reduce close relationships with family and friends and ultimately increase feelings of loneliness as well as depression  (Pantic, 2014, p. 653).

Approximately, 71% of adolescents are consistent users of more than one social networking site which contributes to less face to face personal communication (Mukhopadhyay, Barman, & Bandyopadhyay, 2018, p. 340).

Argument #3: Social networking site addiction can lead to lack of sleep which is incredibly important for the developing brains of adolescents and young adults.

According to the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index, bad quality of sleep may result from Facebook dependence of users (Pantic, 2014, p. 654).

In 2017, a longitudinal study showed that a mediating variable found in the relationship between social media use and depression was sleep disruptions such as insomnia (Keles, Mccrae, & Grealish, 2019, p. 87).





Sources

Keles, B., Mccrae, N., & Grealish, A. (2019). A systematic review: the influence of social media on depression, anxiety and psychological distress in adolescents. International Journal of Adolescence and Youth, 25(1), 79-93. doi:10.1080/02673843.2019.1590851

Mukhopadhyay, D., Barman, L., & Bandyopadhyay, G. (2018). Use of social networking site and mental disorders among medical students in Kolkata, West Bengal. Indian Journal of Psychiatry, 60(3), 340-345. doi:10.4103/psychiatry.indianjpsychiatry_210_18

Pantic, I. (2014). Online Social Networking and Mental Health. Cyberpsychology, Behavior, and Social Networking17(10), 652–657. doi: 10.1089/cyber.2014.0070