Social media by its own definition is ‘forms of electronic communication through which users create online communities to share information, ideas, personal messages and other content’ (Social Media). The keyword, which lends reference to the social aspect of the technology, is ‘communities.’ Communities are groups of individuals whom share a common interest, task or vocation (Douma). Similarly within electronic communities, although the physical presence is not required, the social aspects that come from real world communities continue. These desires to accommodate to the community standard and acceptance inevitably create negative effects when such goals are not accomplished. Studies have shown heavy media usage in general is associated with both higher depression and social anxiety (Mark). Further highlighting the excessive use of social media in particular, one study showed a downside of social media usage to be ‘internet addiction.’ Internet addiction is more common within younger generations (ex. Millennials, Generation X) who were introduced to the technology during their early development years. As the research shows, the result of over usage due to internet addiction has been shown to directly affect depression, loneliness and social anxiety (Caplan).
It is evident that social media usage has negative effects on individuals. In a recent experiment to test task performance success while users had accessibility to social media, it was revealed that ‘personal social media usage led to lower performance on the task, as well as high levels of technostress and lower happiness’ (Brooks). Though longitudinal studies will reveal the long-term implications of social media usage, many factors already include ‘deterioration of civic engagement, a loss of privacy and public safety, and an increase in cybercrime’ (Lyndon).
It is important when reviewing the negative effects of social media usage that we also understand the perceived positive benefits, which attracts users. Many users are drawn into the socialization and sense of community that social media creates. Though there certainly are positive benefits of social media such as easy accessibility to most of your friends, feeling of belonging, enhancing self-esteem and wealth of knowledge, they are not mutually exclusive.
In a 1998 study by The American Psychologist prior to the advent of social media, the research concluded that increased time spent online directly linked to a reduction in communication with their families and their own social circle that could lead to increased thoughts of depression and loneliness (Kraut). Fast forward to modern day, the study’s links were proven feasible and quantifiable. Interestingly enough, many users who are most engaged on social media are more likely to develop narcissistic tendencies of self-promotion and lack self-esteem (Mehdizadeh). This revelation supports the idea that if a user does not achieve the desired level of self-promotion the implications could lead to addictive and mental issues in order to attain there coveted status online.
To conclude, with the currently available information and ongoing longevity studies to diagnose the correlations between social media usage and both addictive and mental issues, it can be declared that there is a distinct connection between them. The dependence upon social media has altered the way communities, economies and individuals interact from when they did before social media. The link between social media usage to addictive and mental issues are abundant and will continue to grow congruently with social media growth. The long-term impact this will further have on society is unknown however, no evidence supports that the result will be a beneficial gain for society.
It is evident that social media usage has negative effects on individuals. In a recent experiment to test task performance success while users had accessibility to social media, it was revealed that ‘personal social media usage led to lower performance on the task, as well as high levels of technostress and lower happiness’ (Brooks). Though longitudinal studies will reveal the long-term implications of social media usage, many factors already include ‘deterioration of civic engagement, a loss of privacy and public safety, and an increase in cybercrime’ (Lyndon).
It is important when reviewing the negative effects of social media usage that we also understand the perceived positive benefits, which attracts users. Many users are drawn into the socialization and sense of community that social media creates. Though there certainly are positive benefits of social media such as easy accessibility to most of your friends, feeling of belonging, enhancing self-esteem and wealth of knowledge, they are not mutually exclusive.
In a 1998 study by The American Psychologist prior to the advent of social media, the research concluded that increased time spent online directly linked to a reduction in communication with their families and their own social circle that could lead to increased thoughts of depression and loneliness (Kraut). Fast forward to modern day, the study’s links were proven feasible and quantifiable. Interestingly enough, many users who are most engaged on social media are more likely to develop narcissistic tendencies of self-promotion and lack self-esteem (Mehdizadeh). This revelation supports the idea that if a user does not achieve the desired level of self-promotion the implications could lead to addictive and mental issues in order to attain there coveted status online.
To conclude, with the currently available information and ongoing longevity studies to diagnose the correlations between social media usage and both addictive and mental issues, it can be declared that there is a distinct connection between them. The dependence upon social media has altered the way communities, economies and individuals interact from when they did before social media. The link between social media usage to addictive and mental issues are abundant and will continue to grow congruently with social media growth. The long-term impact this will further have on society is unknown however, no evidence supports that the result will be a beneficial gain for society.
- Becker, Mark W, et al. “Media Multitasking Is Associated with Symptoms of Depression and Social Anxiety.” Media Multitasking Is Associated with Symptoms of Depression and Social Anxiety | Cyberpsychology, Behavior, and Social Networking, Mary Anne Liebert, Inc. Publishers, www.liebertpub.com/doi/abs/10.1089/cyber.2012.0291.
- Brooks, Stoney. “Does Personal Social Media Usage Affect Efficiency and Well-Being?” Computers in Human Behavior, Pergamon, 21 Jan. 2015, www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0747563215000096.
- Douma, Collin. “The 3 Types of Social Media Communities.” Social Media Today, 20 Nov. 2007, www.socialmediatoday.com/content/3-types-social-media-communities.
- Kraut, R, et al. “Internet Paradox. A Social Technology That Reduces Social Involvement and Psychological Well-Being?” The American Psychologist., U.S. National Library of Medicine, Sept. 1998, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/9841579.
- Lewis, Jane, and Anne West. “'Friending': London-Based Undergraduates' Experience of Facebook.” New Media & Society, SAGE Journals, 28 Sept. 2009, journals.sagepub.com/doi/abs/10.1177/1461444809342058.
- Lyndon, Amy, et al. “College Students' Facebook Stalking of Ex-Partners.” College Students' Facebook Stalking of Ex-Partners | Cyberpsychology, Behavior, and Social Networking, Mary Anne Liebert, Inc. Publishers, 22 Dec. 2011, www.liebertpub.com/doi/abs/10.1089/cyber.2010.0588.
- Mehdizadeh, S. “Self-Presentation 2.0: Narcissism and Self-Esteem on Facebook.” Cyberpsychology, Behavior and Social Networking., U.S. National Library of Medicine, Aug. 2010, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20712493.
- “Social Media.” Merriam-Webster, Merriam-Webster, www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/social media.