The impact of social media on mental health
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University of Eldoret *
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MISC
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Medicine
Date
Nov 24, 2024
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docx
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5
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The Impact of Social Media on Mental Health
Part 1:
My Intellectual Journey
I commenced my exploration of social media's effect on mental health with a rudimentary
but pressing query: "How does social media affect our mental well-being?" Primarily, I surveyed
explanations on social media and its probable influence on mental health. I studied various news
articles delving on the detrimental effects of disproportionate social media usage, which shed
light on the scope of the issue. However, I realized the need to collect a more comprehensive
understanding.
To gain a more considerable insight, I turned to scholarly literature. Among the many
sources that helped me understand was a paper by Twenge and Campbell (2018) titled
"Associations between Screen Time and lower psychological well-being among Children and
Adolescents." This study offered an argument on the association between social media usage and
deteriorating mental health.
I became aware of the importance of considering assorted perspectives by exploring
material that provided an expansive view. For instance, I read Primack et al.’s (2017) article
"Social Media Use and Perceived Social Isolation among Young Adults in the U.S," that exposed
social media’s bearing as complex and nuanced.
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Beyond academic articles, I searched for narratives that possibly could humanize the
subject. A TED Talk by Bailey Parnell, "Is Social Media Hurting Your Mental Health?" was for
the most part informative as she recounted her experiences and offered useful advice. This source
assisted in anchoring my research in individual experiences, supporting the issue's relevance.
Continuing this examination, I aim to scrutinize varied standpoints and remain up-to-date with
scholarly enquiry on our digital interactions.
Part 2:
Annotated Bibliograhy
Parnell, Bailey. Is Social Media Hurting Your Mental Health? [TED Talk]. 2018.
https://singjupost.com/is-social-media-hurting-your-mental-health-bailey-parnell-
tedxryersonu/
Bailey Parnell's TED Talk 2018 provides a thought-provoking discussion of social
media's bearing on our psychological well-being. Parnell's presentation candidly combines
personal anecdotes with empirical proof to discover the more profound impression of social
media on our lives. Her thorough examination of the adverse effects of excessive social media
usage shows the links between these platforms and mental health issues such as anxiety,
depression, and self-esteem. The talk offers practical solutions for dealing with issues about
healthy relationships with social media.
What makes this TED Talk pertinent is its universal appeal for digital media users,
parents, educators shaping young minds, and mental health professionals deciphering the new
challenges of their patients. Parnell's eloquent storytelling and data-backed insights resonate with
her audience, prompting them to reevaluate their online habits. Moreover, by furnishing practical
strategies for tackling social media usage, Parnell empowers audiences to make informed
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decisions concerning online presence, eventually fostering enhanced mental well-being in the
digital age.
Primack, Brian A., et al. "Social media use and perceived social isolation among young
adults in the US." American journal of preventive medicine 53.1 (2017): 1-8.
The research article explores the linkage among social medias use and the subjective
notions of isolation among American youth. With a discerning eye, the authors scrutinize how
diverse social media realms, including the giants of Facebook, Instagram, and Snapchat, cast
their shadows on the contours of social isolation. Armed with a treasure trove of data from a far-
reaching survey, they seek to decipher the connection between social media immersion and the
augmented perception of solitude.
The discoveries unearthed in this study expose the underbelly of excessive social media
submersion, where the toll on the emotional well-being of young adults becomes strikingly
evident. The narrative woven by their findings paints a vivid picture of a substantial tether
between copious digital interaction and an amplified sense of isolation. In an age where social
media platforms are the stage for the theater of young adult life, this research acts as a powerful
torchbearer, illuminating the intricate effects of these digital landscapes on the psychological and
emotional vitality of the youth. It is a clarion call for additional research and discourse,
challenging us to confront social media engagement's profound societal and psychological
repercussions among our young population.
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Twenge, Jean M., and W. Keith Campbell. "Associations between screen time and lower
psychological well-being among children and adolescents: Evidence from a
population-based study." Preventive medicine reports 12 (2018): 271-283.
This article unveils the findings of a population-based investigation delving into the
interplay between the psychological well-being of adolescents and screen time. The study draws
from a sizable cohort of individuals aged 2 to 17, scrutinizing their engagement with diverse
electronic devices. The authors offer a comprehensive evaluation of screen time, encompassing
the usage of various electronic gadgets. The results indicate a non-linear connection, with a
notable turning point occurring at the one-hour-per-day mark. Beyond this threshold, an
escalation in screen time is correlated with diminished well-being, reduced self-control,
heightened distractibility, challenges forming friendships, and the emergence of mental health
issues, including depression and anxiety. The conclusions emphasize that screen time is linked to
diminished psychological well-being, particularly when it surpasses one hour daily. The study
probes different facets of well-being, encompassing self-control, curiosity, and mental health
concerns like depression and anxiety.
This source proves invaluable for comprehending screen time's impact on youngsters'
mental health. The article comprises comprehensively documented and notable resources on the
ongoing discussion that screen time has on the well-being of the youth. This research also
amplifies proof that increasing screen time brings negative effects, including emotional
instability, lowered self-control, as well as a growing vulnerability to anxiety and depression.
Moreover, it shows that the non-linear nature of this connection, stating that moderate use could
be more conducive to well-being than either excessive or minimal screen time.
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Works Cited
Parnell, Bailey. Is Social Media Hurting Your Mental Health? [TED Talk]. 2018.
https://singjupost.com/is-social-media-hurting-your-mental-health-bailey-parnell-
tedxryersonu/
Primack, Brian A., et al. "Social media use and perceived social isolation among young adults in
the US."
American journal of preventive medicine
53.1 (2017): 1-8.
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0749379717300168
Twenge, Jean M., and W. Keith Campbell. "Associations between screen time and lower
psychological well-being among children and adolescents: Evidence from a population-
based study." Preventive medicine reports 12 (2018): 271-283.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30406005/