What does the writer do well in this assignment? (List one or more aspects.) Also, please write the writer's main claim or focus (thesis) according to what you have read. (It may not be the last sentence of the first paragraph - the traditional place for the thesis.)

 

 A Ask clarifying questions What part(s) of the essay were a bit confusing? Why?

 

 What specific suggestions (3 or fewer) do you have for revising the unclear parts of this writing? * 

 

R Request more What would you like to know more about the topic that can enhance the essay and that supports the thesis? 

 

E Evaluate its value What specific detail(s) do not work with the essay (e.g. doesn't support the thesis) or can be moved within the essay? 

S Summarize Overall, what new information have you learned or how are you thinking differently after this reading

 

 

ESSAY

Social media has become a part of our daily lives and how we communicate, connect, and share information. Roughly 90 percent of the population uses some form of social media. With media platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat, and TikTok, everyone can now express themselves, communicate with family and friends, and access endless amounts of information. Although social media offers several benefits, little is spoken about the rising concerns it has on mental health. The influence of social media on today's society significantly impacts mental health, as it encourages social comparison and cyberbullying and manipulates one's self-worth, contributing to increased levels of anxiety, depression, and diminished overall well-being among users.

 

Social comparison is a psychological process in which an individual compares their features, success, experiences, and life situations to another. One of the most common ways people compare themselves to someone else is through body imagery. (M) A study was completed in 2014 that resulted in many teenagers having discontent with their body image (Purdy, 2023). (E) Teenagers find that body imagery is essential in fitting in and are concerned with how their imagery affects their social circles. Social platforms have created numerous ways for an individual to edit their photos or content. This makes idealized and unrealistic expectations. (A) According to Ozimek et al. (2023), a study has shown that photo editing has negatively impacted one's self-esteem and perceived attractiveness. The pressure to conform to the beauty standards placed by constant comparison can cause an ample number of disorders, such as depression, eating disorders, stress, low self-esteem, and even substance abuse. (L)

 

When you hear addiction, you tend to correlate that word with alcohol and substance abuse. Addiction can relate to not only a substance but also an activity, such as scrolling through social media content. In the article "Investigating the relationship between social media addiction and mental health," the author Hammad et al. 2023 performed a data analysis on how many students are addicted to social media and how many have mental health issues. "A study performed at Najran University found that roughly 60 percent of people were addicted to social media. During their research, they performed an additional test on the individuals who claimed to be addicted to social media and what the students thought about their mental health. Over 40 percent of those students also claimed to be dealing with one if not all three illnesses, depression, anxiety, and loneliness (Hammad et al., 2023, p 1&2)."

 

What causes someone to be addicted to social media? Many adolescents have the fear of missing out, also known as "FOMO." These individuals believe that if they are not constantly refreshing their notifications or news feeds, they will miss out on the content their friends share or talk about online. This will create a ruthless cycle for the user. They will be in a condition of wanting to be part of more content. In the journal entry "From fear of missing out (FoMO) to addictive social media use: The role of social media flow and mindfulness," the author, Brailovskaia et al., 2024 talk about how FOMO is linked to addictive social media use.

It found that roughly 24 percent of participants who had a fear of missing out also had an addiction to social media. Social media can be an easy way to escape from reality and have a positive influence, but if people are not careful,  social media will do more harm than good. 

 

The digital era has created a way to connect and communicate with others, but it also has come with several challenges; one of the most common in today's generation is cyberbullying. The term "cyberbullying" can encompass various actions, such as mocking, teasing, or even threatening someone online. As technology advances and the use of social media becomes a standard practice amongst the population, the chance of an individual falling victim to cyberbullying increases. Although anyone of any age, gender, or demographic can be a victim of cyberbullying, research has shown that most individuals affected are teenagers. In the Article "Cyberbullying" by Caffrey (2023), it is stated that during one of their surveys of students between fourth and eighth grade, 42 percent of students had been bullied on social media. Cyberbullying, at the bare minimum, can cause individuals to have low self-esteem, depression, stress, or anxiety. As technology evolves, new social media platforms will continue to emerge. Understanding the impact that social media can have on one's mental health is critical to implementing effective ways to avoid or prevent becoming a victim of cyberbullying.

 

In conclusion, while social media enriches our lives, it is crucial to acknowledge its unfavorable nature. Balancing our perspectives and fostering a collective understanding of potential hazards can build a healthier relationship with the digital world. By being aware of the effect social media can have on someone's mental health, individuals can take the necessary steps to create a positive and insightful experience on social media. Benjamin Franklin once said, "An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure."