Humans are born with the instinct to communicate and form relationships. In today’s society, it is much easier to connect with people through social media such as Facebook, with over 1.5 billion users it was named the largest networking site of 2015 (Dewey). People now rely on social media for obtaining information, sharing experiences, and advertising. The quick access to information has made communication much easier, but takes away the emotion and effort required for face-to-face interaction. The meaning of friendship has been reduced to a click of a button, taking away the emotional involvement and nonverbal aspects of communication. Some people forget that social media is just a virtual world and this can cause problems with depression, anxiety, and eating disorders. 

Social networking has created a virtual reality, where there seems to be no consequences, giving rise to cyberbullying and stalking. While people share their lives on the internet, other people are watching, thus making it easier for stalkers or predators to find out information. This is also an issue in the professional field, for people have been fired or not hired for the things posted online, because even things that have been deleted can still be accessed by employers or anyone looking to find information. This paper aims to highlight the issues of social media addiction and its effects on relationships and mental health, while also using studies and other research to provide evidence of the problems created by social media. 

Social media have evolved at a rapid pace, maybe too fast for the generation of technology to handle.  According to research done by Dave Chaffey, although Facebook has the most active users to log in daily at 76%, “Instagram dominates when it comes to interaction per 1,000 followers” (chaffey). These statistics show that today’s society is consumed with social media and would be detrimental if it were to be removed from people’s lives. Although it may seem harmless, these addictions can lead to the development of threatening psychological and health issues. According to dictionary.com, “addiction is the state of being enslaved to a habit or practice or something that is psychologically habit-forming, to such an extent that it could cause severe trauma” (dictionary). The increased usage and availability of internet access has caused higher rates of cell phone addiction among vast age groups. Over time cell phone use has increased among all generations especially in adolescents with 30% of 10-year olds, 70 % at age twelve, and 83% at age fourteen owning a cell phone (US National Archives). These percentages present a higher chance for misuse of the technology. Mal use of social media can cause cyberbullying through online communication in the form of harassment, threats, or exploitation of private photos and messages. Cyberbullying is when an individual, commonly among adolescents, is embarrassed or targeted by others through online networking sites and text messaging. The most common groups associated with online harassment and online bullying are Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, feminists, and those who openly show support of these groups (Blumenfield).  In 2012, a study found that students who fall into the categories listed above were 54% more likely to experience cyberbullying than other groups of people (Blumenfield). Cyberbullying along with an increased use of social media can have a harmful impact, whether it be immediate or long-term. Cyberbullying can lead to health issues such as depression and anxiety, and increase the risk of suicide among adolescents. A study done by Hinduja and Patchin shows that kids that experienced cyberbullying were two times as likely to attempt suicide than those that were not (Hinduja). This study does not prove that suicide is caused by social media but it can increase the risk by increasing feelings of depression, anxiety, and isolation. 

Another cause of depression and anxiety related to social media is through self-esteem. Social media is a source for sharing information, experiences, and thoughts. Most people post to show the funny, joyous moments and highlights of their lives, depending on likes, comments and virtual reactions of others as a positive reinforcement. The more social media is used, the more the brain depends upon or craves this positive feedback which causes withdrawal and enhances the addiction. While people post idealized versions of the world, which can cause other viewers to compare their experiences and eventually become depressed because their lives are not as exciting or eventful.  Social media also creates unrealistic body images for women “Studies show that 80% of women have experiences body negativity on social media” by comparing themselves to others (Michel). 

FOMO or Fear Of Missing Out and ‘Facebook depression’ are both psychological diagnoses that therapists have discovered when researching the effects of social media (Rubio). The studies show that users who frequently use social media and rely on that as their main connection with friends often experience greater symptoms of depression or anxiety. Social media have also caused depression through the expectation of perfection and trying to portray the most unrealistic side of life. Everyone tries to show their best side on social media, because no one is going to post all about their bad days or experiences. So people viewing these posts need to realize that it is a highlight in someone’s life, and that they should not compare their lives to others. The stress comes from people comparing their lives to others whose may seem more eventful or exciting, which eventually causes unhappiness and can lead to depression. Studies done on the release of the stress hormone Cortisol, when associated with posting something on social media increases to the same levels as stress hormones released when studying for a test (Engeln).

From advertisements to entertainment, social media have benefitted society by advancing communication at a rapid pace. Although this paper focuses on the negative impact social media has on society, it is helpful to highlight the benefits that it comes with. Facebook and Twitter are among the most popular social networking sites used for sharing ideas, thoughts, and information. They provide a sense of community and togetherness by expanding friend groups and reconnecting old friends. These sites are also useful for networking and advertising. Social media had a major impact on the last election and will continue to influence further issues in the future. Although the issues associated with social media are not as prevalent, they could cause severe issues for future generations to come. Through personal experience and research, I have found that social media addiction is a serious issue and can affect aspects such as mental health, self-esteem, and cause unhealthy relationships.

In conclusion, social media may seem beneficial, but there are underlying issues that can cause detrimental effects. Social media is not all bad, but when used in excess or when people take it too seriously, the bad will eventually outweigh the good. This paper is solely for the purpose of raising awareness of researched issues associated with social media and to be cautious of the responsibility that comes with its freedom. Finally, it should be remembered that social media is a virtual world and that it should not replace reality. It is the responsibility of the individual to analyze how they utilize it and how much they let social media affect them.
