Essay Example on Social Media is Harmful to Society

Social media, first seen in the early twenty-first century has rapidly risen to become a part of society's daily lives. In 2005, only 5% of Americans reported using one or more social media platforms; by 2019, this number has risen to 72% (Midgley 1). The average daily social media usage worldwide was one hour and twenty-five minutes per day in 2021, further emphasizing just how much society uses these platforms. Initial platforms, like AOL Instant Messenger and MySpace, have expanded to numerous applications like Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat, and Twitter. Intended to be an outlet for expression and creativity, social media has also become a place littered with cyber harassment and hatred.  Although social media can be associated with beneficial effects, numerous studies have shown that overuse of social media has contributed to decreased well-being in adolescents in numerous ways- increased depression, anxiety, low self-esteem, and loneliness along with the fear of missing out on events, negative social comparison and cyber-bullying.

Even though multiple factors can contribute to depression, there is growing evidence of the potential influence of social media use on psychological well-being. Depression affects three hundred million people worldwide, typically onset in adolescence or young adulthood. This development period is associated with the highest social media use and the age cohort in which rates of depression have been steadily rising (Cunningham). Depression and anxiety have adverse consequences on adolescent development, including lower educational attainment, school dropout, impaired social relationships, increased risk of substance abuse, mental health problems, and suicide (Keles 79). Dr. Gemma Trainor, a nurse consultant at Greater Manchester West Foundation Mental Health Trust and member of the specialist committee for the National Institute of Health and Clinical Excellence, explained, “I have over 30 years of direct clinical experience of children and young people presenting with symptoms of depression. In that time, there have been many changes and trends; over the past 10 years, the increase of primary-school-age children presenting with depression is a particularly worrying phenomenon” (Donnelly 1). Dr. Trainor’s explanation shows how drastic the rise of depression in school-aged children is becoming a larger issue in recent years. “It used to be the case that while some children may have a hard time at school, they could go home and switch off. Now there isn’t that escape, children are on devices all the time.” Lucie Russell, the director of campaigns for the charity Young Minds explains (Donnelly 1). Social media has become this beast where adolescents can compare themselves to others, which leads to depression and symptoms like it.

FOMO, or the fear of missing out, has become a large problem due to the fact of social media and people posting their lives all over the internet. FOMO refers to the preoccupation of users of social media with lost opportunities when they are offline or unable or unwilling to connect or communicate with others to the extent they wish. The fear of missing out can be a prompt for mental illnesses like anxiety and depression. ‘FOMO’ is a main type of problematic attachment to social media, and is associated with a range of negative life experiences and feelings, such as lack of sleep, reduced life competency, emotional tension, negative effects on physical well-being, anxiety and lack of emotional control (Alutaybi 1). Despite indicators of the effect of the fear of missing out on users' well-being, guidance and tools that allow people to manage it are still not available.

(Social Comparison) Social media gives adolescents a network to compare themselves to others. Adolescence is the period of personal and social identity formation and much of this development is now reliant on social media (Cunningham 81). These platforms engage the section of the brain that releases dopamine, and as a result, the need for reassurance becomes an addictive feeling (McLean Hospital). Social media has become a platform to boost self-esteem and receive positive feedback, regardless of the risk. The hope to feel like they belong in their friend group prompts the need to get the most likes or the most followers. Social media users then tend to make comparisons in search of acceptance.  Users are, “searching for validation on the internet that serves as a replacement for meaningful connections they might otherwise make in real life.” (McLean). Typically prompted by a type of bullying, there is also a negative effect on body image comparison on social media. Research has shown that users, particularly the female user population, experience a relationship between body image and social media usage. A study showed that “users [of social media] report more drive for appearance comparisons” and “spending more time on social media is associated with high levels of body dissatisfaction.” (Fardouly). 

(Cyberbullying) With such a rise in social media, one in three adolescents have been bullied on the internet; also known as cyberbullying. Using social media as an outlet for creativity and expression has also prompted the rise in cyberbullies, as the typical bully has a device to hide behind leaving the individual who they are attacking to have no way to defend themself. Cyberbullying can reach a greater audience as it occurs online with limited control and the inability to fully remove the abuse from the internet. The results are tarnished reputations resulting in peer isolation and exclusion (Bottino). Extensive cyberbullying and abuse can result in psychological problems such as depression, anxiety, and low self-esteem (Landstedt). 

In conclusion, social media is, and will continue to be, harmful, unless something is done about it. The power it has over people is dangerous and often goes unnoticed.  People should care because if not addressed, or taken care, of social media could cause national and international problems. Social media stunts interpersonal growth and increases narcissism in many internet users. Even if the user is not psychologically affected by social media, they are still in danger. Nobody is immune to the harmful side effects of social media including identity theft, stalkers, or hackers. Social networking allows hoaxes and false information to cause widespread chaos.