Persuasive Speech
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School
Anna Maria College *
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Course
L710
Subject
Health Science
Date
Nov 24, 2024
Type
Pages
3
Uploaded by ChancellorMusic2103
Introduction
Imagine that the first thing you reach for when you wake up in the morning is not a book
or a warm cup of coffee, but rather your smartphone. Before you realize it, hours have passed
while you check your notifications and browse through endless feeds. This situation might
sound all too familiar in the current digital era, where social media has ingrained itself into our
daily lives. We use it to communicate with friends, exchange stories, and keep ourselves
updated on global events. However, there is a hidden epidemic that has a significant impact on
our mental health and general well-being behind the glossy exterior of likes and follows.
Ladies and gentlemen, today I want to shed light on the often-overlooked impact of
social media on our mental health and overall well-being. Social media's ascent has
transformed communication, but it has also had a number of unavoidable side effects that we
cannot ignore. It is critical to acknowledge the addictive qualities of these platforms, the harm
they can do to one's self-esteem, and the loneliness and isolation they can cause. I want to
present a strong argument as we explore these topics for why it is imperative that we all use
social media more responsibly and why we should all be more aware of how we use it.
Body 1
Our daily interactions with social media are shaped by the pervasive force of social
media addiction. Social media apps are made with clever algorithms and eye-catching designs
that effortlessly draw in and hold our attention. Dr. Nancy DeAngelis the Director of Health for
CRNP said, “Social media platforms drive surges of dopamine to the brain to keep consumers
coming back over and over again. The shares, likes and comments on these platforms trigger
the brain’s reward center, resulting in a high similar to the one people feel when gambling or
using drugs” (Miller, 2022). Along with the statement from Dr. DeAngelis, Sarah Miller stated
afterward, “Once the brain experiences these rushes of dopamine and pleasure, the high from
social media becomes harder and harder for anyone to resist, creating patterns of addictive
behavior” (Miller, 2022). The concerning nature of addiction which was once mainly associated
with alcoholism and gambling, is now found on our smartphones. Clearly, social media is the
next epidemic that is targeting our younger generations and its negative effects are detrimental.
Body 2
Furthermore, the negative impact of social media extends beyond mere addiction,
infiltrating the very fabric of our self-esteem. These platforms frequently function as carefully
selected highlight reels, presenting the pinnacles of other people's lives and creating an
atmosphere that invites comparison. Constant exposure to carefully manicured images and
lifestyles can cause people to internalize the idea that their own lives are inadequate in
comparison, which can lead to warped perceptions of reality. Jill Emanuele, the Senior Director
of the Mood Disorders Center at the Child Mind Institute, said, “Kids view social media through
the lens of their own lives… If they’re struggling to stay on top of things or suffering from low
self-esteem, they’re more likely to interpret images of peers having fun as confirmation that
they’re doing badly compared to their friends” (Jacobson). The feeling of seeing other people
seem to be more successful than you really warps your mentality on life. Self-esteem should not
be negatively impacted by people you have never spoken to, in my own personal experience I
have come to terms with just being grateful for what I have. Not every life is the same, and
those on social media are not portraying the entire picture.
Body 3
Along with social media negatively impacting self-esteem, loneliness is another problem
produced by social media. Although social media brings humankind together virtually, it can also
bring the opposite. While these platforms promise to connect us across distances, they often
contribute to a sense of profound loneliness. The irony lies in the illusion of social
connectedness that scrolling through feeds can create, masking the absence of genuine human
interaction. Mark Travers had this to say about loneliness, “What you are experiencing is an
increasingly common phenomenon that is well-documented in scientific research. For instance,
one study published in the Journal of Social and Personal Relationships found that today’s
teenagers spend approximately an hour less per day socializing with their peers compared to
teenagers who grew up in the 1980s and 1990s. Moreover, according to the study, adolescents
who reported fewer in-person social interactions and more online interactions felt most lonely
and isolated” (Travers, 2023). Social media is giving our newer generations a meander of
negative effects that if we don’t look into further will continue to affect society. We should still be
able to communicate without having to use our phones!
Conclusion
In conclusion, it is evident that social media has a widespread impact on our mental
health and well-being, a fact that requires our consideration and attention. It is critical to
acknowledge the addictive qualities of these platforms, the harm they can do to one's
self-esteem, and the loneliness and isolation they can cause. We must avoid sacrificing real
human connections for the false promise of continuous connectivity as we navigate this digital
environment. It is a call to action for digital literacy, responsible usage, and a reconsideration of
the place of social media in our lives. By admitting these difficulties, we open the door to a more
positive interaction with technology—one that puts our mental health ahead of the never-ending
quest for online approval.
Bibliography
Miller, Sarah (2022). The Addictiveness of Social Media: How Teens Get Hooked
https://www.jeffersonhealth.org/your-health/living-well/the-addictiveness-of-social-media-how-te
ens-get-hooked
Travers, Mark (2023). Are You Suffering From Social-Media-Induced Loneliness?
https://www.forbes.com/sites/traversmark/2023/01/21/are-you-suffering-from-social-media-induc
ed-loneliness/?sh=689421731431#open-web-0
Jacobson, Rae. Social Media and Self-Doubt
https://childmind.org/article/social-media-and-self-doubt/
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