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 Networking, 17(10),
652–657. doi: 10.1089/cyber.2014.0070