Project Analysis Mental Health and the Impact of Social Media on Youth Well Being (1)
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Southern New Hampshire University *
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Arts Humanities
Date
Jan 9, 2024
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docx
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Uploaded by oldsoulbigga
Kristopher Davis
IDS-402
Allyson Bellemore
Southern New Hampshire University
Project Analysis: Mental Health and the Impact of Social Media on Youth Well-Being
The relationship between mental health and social media, particularly among the youth,
has raised significant concerns. This analysis, framed within the lens of social sciences, explores
the escalating issue of mental health among youth aged 12 to 24, focusing on the impact of
excessive social media usage. The lens of social sciences is chosen for its ability to delve into the
dynamics of social media, its role in shaping youth culture, and its implications for mental
health.
Impact on Institutions
The humanities lens allows us to consider the cultural and societal aspects influencing
political discourse. The impact on mental health, driven by social media comparisons and
cyberbullying, may influence political engagement and social movements among the youth
(Samra et al., 2022). We can also see how examining the topic through the humanities lens
reveals how social media affects community dynamics. The constant comparison and fear of
missing out can alter social interactions and contribute to a sense of disconnection within
communities. The influence of social media on family dynamics is seen through the humanities
lens in the context of cultural values and expectations. Unrealistic standards portrayed online
may contribute to conflicts within families, impacting communication and relationships (Karim
et al., 2020). The humanities lens also allows us to consider the cultural and societal influences
on economic aspects. Mental health challenges among youth may affect their productivity and
ability to contribute to the economy, with potential long-term economic implications.
Lastly,
looking at the impact through the lens of the humanities reveals cultural influences on education.
Social media-induced mental health issues may influence educational experience, with potential
consequences for academic performance and the learning environment (Karim et al., 2020).
Benefit From Change
One specific element that could benefit from change is the cultural norms we see on
social media. Shifting societal expectations and promoting realistic portrayals of life online could
lessen the negative impact on mental health (Moreton & Greenfield, 2022). A couple of different
constructive approaches could be promoting media literacy programs in schools to teach critical
consumption of online content. Collaborating with influencers and content creators to encourage
authentic representations on social media platforms could also be a very effective strategy to
drive home the point that too much social media consumption is bad for our mental health.
Benefits and Challenges
I believe a good benefit from critically analyzing wellness through the humanities lens
can foster cultural shifts, reducing the stigma associated with mental health issues and promoting
a more supportive environment. A challenge to doing this may be that addressing wellness in a
cultural context requires time and effort to reshape societal norms. Overcoming deep-rooted
cultural expectations may pose resistance to change.
Social Practices
The humanities lens reveals how social media influences cultural expression. Promoting
diverse cultural narratives and celebrating individuality can counter how idealized online
representations are creating a uniform image of what society should like. When we examine
governance through the humanities lens, we must consider the cultural values that shape policies.
Policies addressing cyberbullying and online safety must align with societal expectations to be
effective.
References
Karim, F., Oyewande, A., Abdalla, L. F., Chaudhry Ehsanullah, R., & Khan, S. (2020). Social
media use and its connection to Mental Health: A Systematic Review.
Cureus
.
https://doi.org/10.7759/cureus.8627
Moreton, L., & Greenfield, S. (2022). University students’ views on the impact of Instagram on
mental wellbeing: A qualitative study.
BMC Psychology
,
10
(1).
https://doi.org/10.1186/s40359-022-00743-6
Samra, A., Warburton, W. A., & Collins, A. M. (2022). Social Comparisons: A potential
mechanism linking problematic social media use with depression.
Journal of Behavioral
Addictions
,
11
(2), 607–614. https://doi.org/10.1556/2006.2022.00023
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