argumentative essay social media addiction

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J Educ Health Promot
v.10(1); 2021

Why people are becoming addicted to social media: A qualitative study

Maryam chegeni.

1 Social Determinants of Health Research Center, Institute for Futures Studies in Health, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran

2 Department of Biostatistics and Epidemiology, School of Public Health, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran

Parvin Mangolian Shahrbabaki

3 Nursing Research Center, Razi Faculty of Nursing and Midwifery, Department of Critical Care Nursing, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran

Mahin Eslami Shahrbabaki

4 Neuroscience Research Center, Institute of Neuropharmacology, Shahid Beheshti Hospital, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran

Nouzar Nakhaee

5 Neuroscience Research Center, Institute of Neuropharmacology, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran

Aliakbar Haghdoost

6 Modeling in Health Research Center, Institute for Futures Studies in Health, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran

BACKGROUND:

Social media addiction (SMA) led to the formation of health-threatening behaviors that can have a negative impact on the quality of life and well-being. Many factors can develop an exaggerated tendency to use social media (SM), which can be prevented in most cases. This study aimed to explore the reasons for SMA.

MATERIALS AND METHODS:

This qualitative study was conducted using content analysis. A total of 18 SM addicted subjects were included through purposive sampling. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews and analyzed using the Lundman and Graneheim qualitative content analysis method. A total of 18 SM addicted subjects were included through purposive sampling. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews and analyzed using the Lundman and Graneheim qualitative content analysis method.

The main category of “weakness in acquiring life skills” was extracted with three themes: “problems in socializing” (including communicating and escaping loneliness), “problems in resiliency” (including devastation in harsh conditions and inability to recover oneself and “lack of problem-solving skills” (including weaknesses in analysis and decision making and disorganization in planning).

CONCLUSIONS:

Weakness in life skills plays an important role in individuals’ addiction to SM and formation of the health-threatening behaviors. Since SMA can affect behavioral health, policymakers must adopt educational and preventive programs to increase the knowledge and skills of individuals in different societies in the modern world.

Introduction

Today, social media (SM) (e.g., WhatsApp, Instagram, Facebook, etc.) have enjoyed such rapidly-growing popularity[ 1 ] that around 2.67 billion users of social networks have been estimated worldwide.[ 2 ] After China, India, and Indonesia, Iran ranks fourth in terms of using SM, having approximately 40 million active online social network users over the past decade, these networks have become part of daily lives,[ 3 ] in a way that people can use them to meet any kind of their daily needs.[ 4 ] Despite their benefits, social networks act as a double-edged sword and can lead to behavioral addiction and irreparable negative effects if their users are unaware and if they are used improperly and purposelessly.[ 5 ] In recent years, excessive and compulsory use of SM has been considered as a behavioral addiction.[ 6 , 7 ] This type of behavioral addiction leads to the formation of health-threatening behaviors and serious harm to physical and mental health.[ 8 ] These health threats include: Dysfunction,[ 9 , 10 ] psychological and well-being disorders,[ 11 , 12 , 13 , 14 ] loss of positive emotions,[ 10 ] loneliness, and decreased social communications,[ 15 ] which may reduce the life quality of users and even their families.

Given the extent and significance of the damages caused by SM addiction (SMA), it is essential to identify experienced reasons and conditions for dependency to prevent possible complications and promote healthy behaviors. On the other hand, trying to change the behavior of others without understanding their underlying causes is doomed to fail.

Thus, investigating the experiences of SM addicts can open a new horizon for policymakers. On the other hand, so far, no study has examined these factors in Iranian culture as well as in the general population of all groups in society. Therefore, based on the views and experiences of people having an addiction to SM, this study aimed to explore factors which increase the likelihood of individuals to indulge in social networks. The results of this study can help develop effective prevention programs.

Materials and Methods

Design and participants.

This study is a qualitative research which builds on conventional content analysis. To gain a deeper understanding of SMA, researchers have immersed themselves in data by gaining direct information from participants.

Using purposive sampling, 18 participants were selected from several prominent psychiatric clinics in Kerman, a city in the South Eastern of Iran. These participants had been diagnosed with an addiction to SM and had experienced its related negative effects. It was attempted to consider the maximum diversity in terms of age, sex, duration of addiction, marital status, education, and family support. The general characteristics of participants in the study are presented in Table 1 .

Demographic characteristics of the study participants

All participants were able to communicate face to face in Farsi. The time and place of the interviews were arranged with participants beforehand, and each interview took about 45–60 min in average.

Semi-structured interviews were performed by the first author in 2019. The participants were requested to answer the questions based on their experiences. Questions included, “What factors made you to tend toward SM?,” “What motivated you into using these social networks?” and “What kind of needs do these networks meet?” During the interviews, it was tried to write down those ambiguities and triggers that came to the researchers’ minds in the form of interview memos to be asked in the subsequent interviews and to clarify the related concepts. All the interviews were recorded. Data collection was continued till a saturation point was reached; that is, a moment when the additional sources of data did not give new information.

Data analysis

The data were analyzed using Graneheim and Lundman's approach. The recorded voices of all interviews were typed verbatim. They were then read several times and coded after extracting semantic units. The semantic units were short and meaningful phrases that were extracted from the participants’ responses. These codes were refined; that is, the similar codes were put together or merged. Thus, a number of subcategories and categories were formed and the hidden content and concepts were extracted. Ultimately, the main meaning of the data was derived, and the themes were arranged to show the hidden content of the data. An example of the developed categories and subcategories based on the refined codes is given in Table 2 .

Example of qualitative content analysis process

The Guba and Lincoln criteria were used to ensure the accuracy and strength of the data.[ 16 ] The researchers’ interpretations of the participants’ responses were shared with them during the interviews to ensure their accuracy as well as to increase data credibility. Further, to evaluate the reliability of the collected data, some parts of the interviews alongside the developed codes were returned to the participants to check the consistency of the ideas extracted by the researchers and the participants. The categories and subcategories extracted from the data were also sent to some experts in the field of qualitative studies to be revised, if required, and agreed upon.

This study was approved by the relevant Ethics Committee (IR.KMU.REC.1397.338). The participants were assured that their information would remain confidential and that, if not further interested, they could leave the interview and refuse to collaborate any longer. After obtaining the written consents, the interviews were conducted individually and at a convenient time and place for the participants.

The 18 participants recruited for the study included, half of whom were women. Their ages ranged between 16 and 41 years. Most of them were single and educated.

The results of the data analysis showed one main theme entitled Weakness in Life Skills, from which three themes were extracted: (1) Problems in socializing including the subthemes of problems in communicating and escaping loneliness; (2) Problems in Resiliency including the subthemes of devastation in harsh conditions and inability to recover oneself (inner distress); and (3) Weakness in Problem-Solving Skills, including the two subthemes of weakness in analysis and decision-making and disorganization in planning [ Table 3 ]. Furthermore, predisposing factors in family and society and attractions of SM extracted of interviews was shown in Figure 1 .

Themes and subthemes extracted from data of participants’ experiences

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The categories and subcategories of the causes of social media addict subjects

Problems in socializing

For many participants, weakness in social interactions is a factor that leads them to use SM. Two forms of problems in communicating and escaping loneliness were extracted using this approach.

Problems in communicating

According to the participants’ experiences, one of the reasons for their addictive tendency to SM is their inability to communicate properly. They have trouble even in establishing a simple relationship, avoid face-to-face communication, and often fail to gain experience in social activities. Thus, harmful social behaviors and beliefs replace learning useful social behaviors and beliefs. In order to make up for the lack of real-world effective and useful relationships, they become more inclined to SM and indulge themselves in unreasonable tendencies and hence suffer a great deal of damages. A participant said:

We were a large family and I did not get enough attention. I have very limited social relations. I have an introverted personality and I find SM interesting, because I do not see the other person and I can easily talk (P1) .

Escaping loneliness

Another important reason for most participants was feeling loneliness. Being the only child of a family, being the last child of a family, immigrating, divorcing, and so on were among the factors for their feeling lonely. They were looking for an easy and convenient solution to save themselves from loneliness. Since SM was easily accessible and did not require any specific planning, it was the best available way for them to escape loneliness. A participant said:

I’m living alone and have no siblings. The age difference between my parents and I is too much. So I prefer to go to social networks to fill my time. SM have become part of my life (P10) .

Problems in resiliency

Based on the experiences of the participants, problems in resiliency was another major reason for addiction to tending towards SM and getting addicted to it. The bulk of the problems and the lack of proper support, on the one hand, and the ease of access to SM, on the other hand, have made SM a haven of safety to escape from the crises and to continue their activities there. The use of this reason is examined in two forms: Devastation in harsh conditions and inability to recover oneself.

Devastation in harsh conditions

Participants’ experiences showed that because they lacked self-management skills, they were vulnerable to adverse conditions and get devastated quickly. Most of these participants cannot properly manage their problems and do not succeed in maintaining their bio-psychological balance. Hence, they commit more mistakes in escaping the crises. A participant said:

The love failure that I went through in the SM was unbearable. Just to see if I could forget the previous one, I entered another relationship and hence this vicious cycle was repeated (P7) .

Inability to recover oneself (inner distress)

Most SM addicts have failed in dealing properly with their life problems. They could not recover from those difficulties and could not heal themselves. Such failure has prevented them from successfully going through adverse events and attaining social, educational, and occupational achievements. Most of them have not been able to properly recover from their lives’ adverse events and heal their wounds. Hence, they have succumbed to social harms and may undergo serious hurts such as poor health behaviors. A participant said:

I fell in love with a girl on Instagram. But we broke up after a while. I was seriously hurt. Although I loved football, I didn’t go to work out anymore and I wasn’t selected in talent competitions anymore. I got used to smoking and drinking. Although I’m only 17 years old, I’ve committed suicide twice (P8) .

Lack of problem-solving skills

According to participants’ experiences, lack of problem-solving skills has been one of the key factors in individuals’ addiction to SM. These individuals could not easily solve their problems and consequently suffered from other problems such as depression, lack of concentration and attention, anxiety, and the like. These problems made them more likely to become addicted to SM. The use of this reason is examined in two forms: Weaknesses in analysis and disorganization in planning.

Weaknesses in analysis and decision making

Based on the experiences of the participants, they seemed to lack mature defense mechanisms to defend themselves against life crises. As they were unable to analyze them and find logical solutions, they preferred to choose the easiest way to forget and solve their problems. That is why they went into SM. However, the easiest way is not always the best. As being already vulnerable, they were easily hurt by their wrong decisions. A participant said:

My husband had betrayed me, so I got terribly upset. Instead of finding a wise way, I decided to retaliate. I met a guy in the online SM and got addicted to him. So I was always online. Through these networks, this gentleman came into my life. But he suddenly went away and devastated me. I became inflicted with depression and so I had to see psychiatrist and take medication (P5) .

Disorganization in planning

Based on the experiences of the participants, disorganization in life has been one of their major reasons for addiction to SM. Most of them stated that not only have they been purposeless in their lives, but they have been unable to plan properly and rescue themselves from their problems. Hence, they prefer to go aimlessly into OSM. This has caused them to not only lag behind their daily lives but also to undergo numerous negative effects. A participant said:

I do not have any plan for my future, so I do not see a need for it, why should I work? Why should I study? Having fun is the best plan for me. Many guys are like me; they go online without any purpose, and I spend my time with them (P12) .

The findings showed that one of the main reasons for SMA was a lack of life skills. According to the experiences of the participants, the three most important skills were problems in socialization, problems in resiliency, and lack of problem-solving skills.

The problem in socialization is one of the leading factors in SMA that impede people from receiving enough emotional support and acquiring appropriate social-communicative skills. As a result, their relationships with others decrease and to cope with their sense of loneliness and to get sufficient approval and support from others, they start looking for a place to feel calm. SM, due to their easy access and expansive and variable content, persuade these individuals to go more online. Poor communication skills are one of the most important reasons for spending too much time on social networks. These individuals due to get rid of anxiety and stress of face-to-face interactions, they prefer to use the Internet instead of offline communications to meet their interpersonal needs and relationships.[ 17 , 18 ] In line with the results of the present study, numerous studies have also showed that there is a negative relationship between the level of interpersonal communication skills and Internet addiction and have identified shyness and quality of social communications as strong predictors of Internet addiction, in particular, SMA.[ 18 , 19 , 20 , 21 , 22 , 23 , 24 ] In fact, individuals who have communication problems are less sociable and thus spend many hours on the Internet to communicate with others and prove themselves.[ 25 ]

The participants of the study repeatedly stated that escaping loneliness is a major motivation for their continued presence in online social networks. They are looking for a convenient solution to feel less alone, SM provides them with such opportunity, and they do not even need to take on any commitment and responsibility. To ease their discomforts and compensate for their lack of social interactions, these individuals indulge themselves in social networks and hence lose enough social support in the real world.[ 25 ]

A number of researchers consider resilience as one of the effective factors in preventing addiction to SM.[ 26 , 27 ] This was clearly stated by the participants of the present study. Individuals who are less resilient to problems seem more susceptible to SMA. Because these individuals cannot easily accept and endure griefs and sufferings, they are more likely to be in SM. Hence, they use social networks as a defense mechanism for more comfortable tolerance. However, participants stated that if they had exciting entertainment facilities, exciting entertainments, and a secure and well-paid job, they could easily cope with their problems.

Numerous studies have shown that resilience is an important protective factor against Internet addiction[ 28 , 29 ] SMA[ 26 ] and even drug addiction.[ 30 ] Loneliness is one of the factors leading to addiction. However, resilient people are able to cope with it.[ 31 ] It seems that online activities only reduce the negative emotions of escaping reality. While they do not reinforce social skills to solve relationship problems.[ 21 ]

The study findings showed that most individuals who were dependent on SM could not solve their problems well. For this reason, they suffer from anxiety, depression, and insufficient attention and concentration. To control their problems, they resort to poor solutions such as hanging out in SM, which as stated by themselves, act as a temporary remedy. Some of these individuals do not have any plan for their futures and suffer from disorganization in solving their lives’ problems. Thus, to escape such bitter realities, they become severely addicted to SM. These participants see social networks as a safe haven to forget their problems and sufferings. While they might entangle themselves into other problems. In fact, these networks are not always safe havens. According to a study conducted by Ekinci on Turkish students, individuals who had lower levels of problem-solving skills had higher levels of problematic use of Internet.[ 32 ] Furthermore, in a study conducted by Raiha Aftab, it was found that people who possess problem-solving and coping abilities were less likely to become addicted to Facebook.[ 33 ] Resilient individuals have good problem-solving social skills and adopt positive and rational approaches to problems. Therefore, teaching problem-solving skills can enhance resilience in individuals.[ 34 ]

Evidence obtained from the findings of this study shows the detail of the experiences of Iranian individuals who dependent to SM. Also, our researchers’ efforts was to select diverse groups from the general population. However, due to the limited number of participants in the study and the presence of merely Iranian individuals, it is not possible to examine all the factors affecting SMA. Thus, more expansive quantitative studies are suggested.

Conclusions

Since the present study investigated the factors leading to SMA from the experiences of those involved in these networks, its findings can be quite helpful for prevention and even treatment. It seems that improving the quality of social relationships, purposeful actions, and planning to reduce the sense of loneliness, training, and strengthening problem-solving and resiliency skills in families, schools, and universities can help prevent addiction to SM and subsequently to threatening behaviors physical and mental health.

Financial support and sponsorship

This work was funded by the Kerman University of Medical Sciences under the Research Grant 97000283.

Conflicts of interest

There are no conflicts of interest.

Acknowledgements

The authors extend their appreciation to the participants for their cooperation throughout the study. They also appreciate the assistance of Kerman University of Medical Sciences. This study was part of a Specialty Ph.D. dissertation in epidemiology.

Argumentative Essay Writing

Argumentative Essay About Social Media

Crafting a Winning Argumentative Essay on Social Media

Published on: Feb 27, 2023

Last updated on: Jan 31, 2024

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The Impact of Social Media on Human Interaction
How Can We Limit Social Media Use?
Is Social Media Harmful/Beneficial to Mental Health?
Social Media and Its Effect on the Education System
Is Social Media Really a Positive Influence on Young People?
The Impact of Social Media on Privacy
How Has Social Media Changed Society in Recent Years?
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Social Media Addiction Causes and Solutions

Introduction.

Among the rest, social media (SM) platforms such as Facebook, YouTube, and TikTok have enjoyed rapid growth over the past few years, especially during and after the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic. Almost three billion people use social media globally. The networks have become central to the lives of individuals because of the various benefits individuals get from using such platforms. However, even though it is beneficial, SM is a double-edged sword leading to behavioral addiction and severe effects on the users who do not moderate their use of the sites. The excessive SM use witnessed over the past few years has resulted in addiction, which has resulted in health-threatening behaviors. Some of the adverse effects of SM addiction include dysfunctions, mental disorders, negative emotions, loneliness, and decreased social connectedness. These impacts make the addicted users have low-quality lives and dysfunctional families.

Since social media addiction results in a significant and wide range of damages, it is crucial to understand its causes and how they can help prevent users from getting addicted to the sites. One of the most challenges to dealing with social media addiction is attempting to change an individual’s behavior without knowing what causes them to act as they do. Eventually, such approaches mostly fail because they do not address the root of the problem; instead, they regulate the results. The basis for understanding the psychological factors as the primary cause of SM addiction is crucial and is used in this article to explore possible methods to help curb the problem. Therefore, this article analyzes the causes of SM addiction and uses psychological methods to help address the issues among the affected users.

Causes of Social Media Addiction

Social media addiction has several causes, some of which result from underlying problems affecting individual users. The diversity in people shows that the range of the causes can be infinite as each depends entirely on the person. However, there are common roots attributed to behavior and change. Aksoy indicates that one of the major causes of social media addiction is weaknesses in life skills, which comprise issues associated with socializing, poor communication practices, and loneliness (Aksoy 862). Another cause is resiliency issues, which include the inability for one to recover from inner distress and devastations resulting from harsh conditions. The third primary cause of SM addiction is an individual’s poor problem-solving skills, comprising poor decision making, disorganization, and weak analytical skills. Each of these three primary causes is further explored in the sections below. The three triggers mentioned mainly sprout from various predisposing factors in one’s family, community, or society.

Socializing Problems

One’s inability to socialize with others is one of the critical factors causing individuals to be addicted to social media platforms. According to Chester, most people lack the skills to effectively interact with those they see daily (Chester, Richdale, and McGillivray 2234). This lack of social intelligence makes individuals feel isolated and unable to contribute significant thoughts when in the company of their fellow. They find their types and interact with them when they use social media. Moreover, social media also enables them to hide behind averters, thus speaking their minds without a feeling that anyone can judge them. The major areas associated with socialization problems comprise poor communication and the need to escape one’s loneliness.

Communication Problems

The inability to effectively communicate with other people makes social media users addicted to the sites where they find it easy to speak their minds through text, pictures, and videos. According to Trigueros, such people have difficulties creating and establishing relationships due to past experiences or failures and avoid face-to-face interactions, making them gain little social experience (Trigueros 4208). The void left by the lack of skills necessary for creating a suitable environment for healthy social relationships is filled with severe social behaviors and beliefs. Once developed, these users find a haven in SM sites, where they advance their unfulfilled real-world desires and relationships. They thus develop unreasonable tendencies, which become more adverse as they continue using the sites, thereby damaging their real-life healthy social relationships.

The Need to Escape Loneliness

Loneliness is one of the main drivers for people to seek a social relationship from external sources. During the pre-social media period, most people sought relationships from friends and peers to compensate for those they desired and lacked from family members. However, in present times and with the sprouting social media sites, SM users divert to these platforms to compensate for their lack of companions. O’Day et al. reveal that these users find a false comfort that they are not lonely when they speak with their fellows on the sites (O’Day et al. 100070). On the contrary, such feelings subside immediately after they are out of the sites. For this reason, most addicted users try to continue using these social media apps to escape feeling lonely. Some of the most addicted SM users are those newly divorced, immigrants, and lone children.

Resiliency Problems

Some users are addicted to social media because of their resiliency issues. Most people who lack support from their immediacy tend to SM to find activities that make them feel better. The ease of accessing social media sites also contributes immensely to resiliency problems, making the users addicted to the platforms. These factors give the users heaven of safety where they escape avoiding the crises affecting them. Resiliency problems mainly comprise individuals’ devastations experienced during harsh conditions and their inner distress.

Harsh Conditions

Harsh conditions often trigger the need for additional support, which, when available online, becomes the first place for people to find the psychological support they need at such times. However, most people also face problems with self-management skills when devastated. Various can make one vulnerable to social media manipulations when they face adverse conditions (Ghareb et al.). Moreover, harsh conditions also impair people’s judgment, making them seek peaceful social support solutions on the Internet. The psychological aspect of this problem is mainly rooted in an individual’s ability to maintain their bio-psychological balance. This lack of the power to know to check their mental state and behaviors makes it easy for them to escape their crises by getting deeply involved in the social media sites.

Inner Distress

Some people are addicted to social media because they cannot recover from a painful past or present situation. Most SM addicts have a history of failing to deal appropriately with their diverse problems in life (Wong et al. 1897). Such comprises individuals who find it difficult to recover from the difficulties they faced in the past and cannot heal themselves. Some who have failed in creating meaningful and healthy social relationships use SM to try to get the comfort they need, which prevents them from the memories of such events. Apart from railed social relationships in the past, other underlying issues could be a failure in academics, business, or sports, which make the individuals personally disturbed and lack a way to share their inner distress. The thoughts of the past make these individuals succumb to social media, which eventually harms their physical and psychological health.

Poor Problem-Solving Skills

As noted earlier, most people resort to social media and get hooked on them because of their various distresses. Thus, it is also crucial to note that those who get addicted to SM do so because they lack skills, they can use to solve issues affecting them at any time. Such individuals rush to social media to find sympathy from their followers and online friends. Such individuals failed to deal with their past problems and developed psychological disorders such as depression, anxiety, and attention deficits. These mental health issues further make individuals prone to social media addiction. Lack of problem-solving skills leading to people overusing SM includes weaknesses in analyzing situations and making informed decisions and disorganized plans.

Weak Analytical and Decision-Making Skills

Those addicted to social media users do not possess mature defense systems that they can employ in cases where they must defend themselves when faced with life’s crises. Primarily, such problems arise when individuals fail to analyze the issues and find logical solutions, thereby choosing more accessible options to navigate their situations or forget about them. Some users go to social media platforms as a defense or to find pity for what affects them (Ku et al. 100570). However, as they use the sites more, they are often taken deeper using the platforms’ algorithms. The users thus find related stories, which create comfortable heaven for them, making it difficult to face life’s realities. They thus find it challenging to reverse their behavior, fearing worse psychological outcomes. Their last situations become worse because they are unable to analyze the problems that caused them to be in their current circumstances and thus cannot be decisive about what they can do to become better.

Disorganized Plans

Most people addicted to social media are who they are because of their past disorganized plans. They continue using SM because they do not have many other options to plan their lives. They become purposeless and only momentarily use the sites to fulfill their psychological emptiness. They find comfort in following events on various social media platforms and get entertained. They feel comforted with the content they get and the people they meet on the sites. However, they remained miserable, hoping they could find assistance from those they followed on the platforms. Consequently, those addicted to social media experience more severe consequences, both in health and socio-economic aspects.

Solving Social Media Addiction

The analysis conducted on the causes of social media addiction has identified three main factors: weaknesses in life skills, resiliency issues, and poor problem-solving skills. The underlying issues and the root of all these factors are psychologically oriented, which reveals the need to use psychological interventions to help find the best ways to help those addicted or can be addicted to SM. SM use is mainly associated with depression, anxiety, and mental health problems. Major social media platforms have responded to concerns around the use of the sites and their effects on mental health. For instance, YouTube initially had likes and dislikes to measure the performance of videos, but it resorted to removing the dislikes counts to contribute to mental wellbeing. Instagram and Facebook have also taken the trend, and more SM companies are following suit. The idea behind such changes is to reduce psychological problems associated with the platforms’ use; the users already have an underlying emotional problem, and negative feedback can increase their psychological distress.

It was also noted earlier that trying to curb social behavior may be a poor approach to limiting social media addiction. Behavior is a psychological factor that requires a deeper understanding of the individual to help them deal with their problems and individually overcome them. Thus, it is crucial to help the affected person identify their drive to use social media excessively and thus create a map to overcome addiction. One should identify the main reason why they are on each social site in the first place. The drive to be part of the platforms forms the basis of understanding why someone would want to overstay at the same site for an extended period. However, this should be an individual question that may require an in-depth reflection and honest answer. A psychoanalyst can help identify the possible reasons the individual uses social media and thereby help them to seek personal answers for their use of the platforms.

This analysis identified that one of the factors making people addicted to social media is problems with socializing. Social health is a crucial element of humankind, and everyone should be able to form and maintain excellent and productive relationships with their peers, parents, and siblings. Those who lack care have ways of healing from the past and find more muscular attachments with those they meet. The analysis also identified problems in resiliency, such as harsh conditions and inner distress, as a cause of social media addiction. One should ask themselves if they can control their situations before seeking alternative and easier ways to navigate them. Individuals can also learn to understand that they can get help from people closer than those they meet online. Moreover, poor problem-solving skills were identified to cause SM addiction. Users addicted to SM can find alternative ways to solve their problems instead of hiding on social media. Understanding the SM does not help one find solutions is the basis for beginning the journey to one’s freedom.

The current study has revealed several causes of social media addiction, though the major ones are associated with severe underlying psychological problems. The study identified weaknesses in life skills, including individual factors such as poor communication practices and loneliness. It also revealed that resiliency problems such inability recover from one’s inner distress and devastation when they experience harsh conditions can make them use social media more to ease their mental stress. Poor problem-solving skills such as poor decision-making, disorganization, and weak analytical skills also make people addicted to social media. The study has also revealed that since the primary causes of social media addiction are psychologically motivated, individuals must understand why they are using particular problems and also get psychoanalytic treatments that can help with their adverse life experiences.

Works Cited

Aksoy, Mehmet Emin. “A qualitative study on the reasons for social media addiction.” European Journal of Educational Research 7.4 (2018): 861-865.

Chester, M., Richdale, A. L., & McGillivray, J. (2019). Group-based social skills training with play for children on the autism spectrum. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders , 49 (6), 2231-2242.

Ghareb, Mazen, et al. “Social media and social relationships: A case study in Kurdistan society.” Applied Computer Science 14.3 (2018).

Ku, Kelly YL, et al. “What predicts adolescents’ critical thinking about real-life news? The roles of social media news consumption and news media literacy.” Thinking Skills and Creativity 33 (2019): 100570.

O’Day, Emily B., and Richard G. Heimberg. “Social media use, social anxiety, and loneliness: A systematic review.” Computers in Human Behavior Reports 3 (2021): 100070.

Trigueros, Rubén, et al. “Relationship between emotional intelligence, social skills and peer harassment. A study with high school students.” International journal of environmental research and public health 17.12 (2020): 4208.

Wong, Hiu Yan, et al. “Relationships between severity of internet gaming disorder, severity of problematic social media use, sleep quality and psychological distress.” International journal of environmental research and public health 17.6 (2020): 1879.

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StudyCorgi. (2023, August 19). Social Media Addiction Causes and Solutions. https://studycorgi.com/social-media-addiction-causes-and-solutions/

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Argumentative Essay

Argumentative Essay About Social Media

Last updated on: Apr 25, 2024

Tips and Examples for Writing an Engaging Argumentative Essay About Social Media

By: Nova A.

13 min read

Reviewed By: Betty P.

Published on: Mar 7, 2023

Writing argumentative essays can be a daunting task, especially when the topic is as complex and controversial as social media. You want to make sure your argument is well-researched, persuasive, and stands out from the rest of your peers’ work.

But how do you go about doing that?

Our comprehensive guide on argumentative essay writing will show you exactly what steps to take. This way you can write a standout argumentative essay about social media.

We'll provide tips on research, structure, evidence gathering, and more!

So without further ado, let's get started!

On this Page

What is an Argumentative Essay?

An argumentative essay is a written piece of work in which the student argues a case, putting forward evidence.

The use of persuasive language is important to convince readers that their point of view is valid.

In argumentative essays, it's important to consider both sides of an argument before coming to a conclusion. This will help you build your argument more effectively.

Unlock the secrets to constructing compelling arguments with our argumentative essay guide.

Purpose of Writing an Argumentative Essay About Social Media

When it comes to argumentative essays about social media, the purpose is to provide a comprehensive argument. It addresses both sides of the debate.

We need to discuss how social media can help us and how it can harm us.

We also need to consider the ways in which social media has changed our lives, for better or worse. And whether or not it has a place in our society.

By exploring both sides of the argument, we can come to an informed conclusion about social media.

This way we can begin to consider ways in which it can be used more effectively and responsibly.

How to Write an Argumentative Essay About Social Media?

Now that we understand the purpose of writing argumentative essays, let's look at how to go about writing them.

Here are some tips to help you write a standout argumentative essay:

Research To Collect Data and Material

The key to writing any successful argumentative essay is doing your research first.

Make sure you are well-versed in the subject matter so that you can make well-informed arguments.

You will need to use reliable sources such as articles, books, and studies. These sources must be published by experts in the field of social media.

Pick an Engaging Title for Your Essay

Your title should be intriguing enough for readers to want to learn more about it. It should also accurately reflect the content of your essay in a few words.

Choose something catchy that will draw people into reading what you have written!

Form a Descriptive Outline

To help keep your thoughts organized throughout the writing process, create a descriptive outline for your argumentative essay about social media.

This should include the main points you plan on discussing in each paragraph. Also, add relevant evidence from reliable sources that will back up those claims.

Additionally, make sure that each point flows logically from one other. Do this while still maintaining its own unique perspective on the topic at hand.

Writing an Introduction

The introduction lays the groundwork for your essay. It is where you introduce your topic and state your thesis statement.

The thesis statement should be one sentence that clearly states your position on the issue at hand.

For example, you were writing about the impact of social media on society. Your thesis statement could be something like this:

“Social media has had both positive and negative effects on society”

“The use of social media can have serious consequences for individuals and society as a whole”.

Connecting the Body Paragraphs

The body paragraphs are where you will present evidence to support your position .

Make sure to include multiple pieces of evidence to back up each point you make. This could include facts, statistics, quotes from experts, or even personal anecdotes.

Also, make sure to refute any opposing opinions with counterarguments that address those points directly.

You can still remain consistent with your own stance on the issue at hand.

Writing a Compelling Conclusion

Your conclusion should be a brief summary of your main points as well as a restatement of your thesis statement.

This is also where you can tie everything together by suggesting solutions. Or you can offer guidance for further research into the topic at hand.

Keep in mind that this is not just another opportunity to reiterate what has already been said. Instead, focus on how readers can learn from what has been discussed.

This will help to better understand a particular issue and how it affects them personally and/or society as a whole.

Watch the video to gain all the necessary wisdom for crafting a compelling argumentative essay!

Examples of Argumentative Essay About Social Media

Samples are a great way to get some inspiration for your argumentative essay.

Here are a few examples of argumentative essays about social media:

Argumentative essay about social media addiction

Argumentative essay about social media and mental health

Argumentative essay about social media disadvantages

Argumentative essay about social media negative impact

Need more examples? Check out these argumentative essays about social media written by our argumentative writing experts.

Argumentative essay about social media influencers

Short argumentative essay about social media

Three paragraph argumentative essay about social media

Argumentative essay about social media advantages and disadvantages

Need some encouragement to write your essay? Check out our blog of inspiring argumentative essay examples !

Argumentative Essay About Social Media Topics

If you're still stuck for argumentative essay topics on social media, here are a few ideas to get you started:

Is social media beneficial or harmful to our social network?
Should there be restrictions on social media platforms like Facebook & Twitter?
How has social media changed the way businesses operate?
What is the effect of social media usage on mental health?
Has social media had a positive or negative impact on our relationships?
How can we use social media every day to promote more responsible behavior?
Is censorship for young people of content on social media justified?
Are privacy rights in danger with the growth of social media?
Has social media changed the way we consume news?
Should organizations have strict policies when it comes to employees' social media use?

Our blog is full of exciting and engaging argumentative essay topics that are sure to get everyone talking. Check it out today!

In conclusion,

Argumentative essays about social media are an important way to explore both sides of a complex argument. When writing these essays, it's important to research and brainstorm argument points. Make an outline of an argument structure, and provide examples.

We've also provided some argumentative essay topics related to social media that you can use when writing your own argumentative essay.

Still, if you find the task difficult, then it's best to not risk your grades and hire professionals.

MyPerfectPaper.net is trusted by thousands of students for its reliable essay writing services at affordable rates.

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Nova Allison is a Digital Content Strategist with over eight years of experience. Nova has also worked as a technical and scientific writer. She is majorly involved in developing and reviewing online content plans that engage and resonate with audiences. Nova has a passion for writing that engages and informs her readers.

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Argumentative Essay About Social Media : Topics, Tips & Examples

Are you struggling to come up with a topic for your argumentative essay about social media?

Don’t worry, you’re not alone.

With so many different opinions about social media, it can be difficult to know where to start. But fear not!

In this article, we’ll give you some tips on how to craft a great topic for your essay, as well as how to start your essay and some examples of argumentative essay topics about social media.

How to choose a topic for your argumentative social media essay

Choosing the right topic is the foundation of a successful argumentative essay . Here are some tips to help you choose the perfect topic for your social media essay:

Identify the hot-button issues: Look for the topics that are currently generating the most attention and debate on social media. For instance, the issue of online privacy has been a hot-button issue for some time now.
Analyze current events: Keep an eye on current events and trending topics on social media platforms. For example, the recent controversy surrounding Facebook’s role in the 2016 US Presidential election is an excellent topic to explore.
Identify your audience: Consider the demographics of your audience, and choose a topic that will resonate with them. For instance, if you are writing for a younger audience, you may want to consider a topic related to the impact of social media on mental health.
Personal experience: Consider your own experiences with social media and the impact it has had on your life. You may be able to identify a unique perspective that will make for a compelling argumentative essay.

How to craft a title for your argumentative essay about social media

Now that you know what topic you want to write on, let’s talk about how to craft a title that will grab your reader’s attention and accurately reflect your argument. Here are some tips:

Use descriptive language: Your title should give your reader a good idea of what your essay is about. Use descriptive language that accurately reflects your argument. For example, if you’re writing about the advantages and disadvantages of social media, you might use a title like “Navigating the Pros and Cons of Social Media.”
Keep it short and sweet: Your title should be concise and easy to remember. Avoid long titles that are difficult to read or remember. A good rule of thumb is to keep your title under 10 words.
Make it provocative: A provocative title can grab your reader’s attention and make them want to read more. However, be careful not to be too sensationalistic or misleading. Your title should accurately reflect your argument.

Examples of Argumentative Essay Topics about Social Media

Should social media platforms be held accountable for the spread of misinformation and fake news?
The Social Dilemma: Navigating the Pros and Cons of Social Media
Scrolling to Depression: The Impact of Social Media on Mental Health
Fake News, Real Consequences: Holding Social Media Platforms Accountable
Swipe Left on Toxic Relationships: The Impact of Social Media on Modern Dating
The Future of Work in the Social Media Age: Opportunity or Threat?
Hooked on Social Media: The Addictive Nature of Online Engagement
Lost in Translation: How Social Media Affects Cross-Cultural Communication
The Algorithms Behind the Screen: The Need for Transparency on Social Media Platforms
Democracy in Danger? Examining the Impact of Social Media on Political Discourse
Growing Up Online: The Impact of Social Media on the Development of Young Minds
Is social media addiction a real problem, and if so, what steps should be taken to address it?
Should social media companies be required to collect and store data about their users’ online activities?
Are social media platforms responsible for the rise of cyberbullying and harassment, and what measures should be taken to prevent it?

How to Start an Argumentative Essay about Social Media

Starting an argumentative essay about social media can be a daunting task, but with the right approach, you can create a compelling and engaging introduction that hooks your reader’s attention. Here are some tips and examples to help you get started:

Start with a hook that relates to your argument about social media
Use a surprising statistic or fact: “Did you know that more than 60% of people have witnessed online harassment on social media platforms?”
Use a provocative question: “Is social media a tool for positive social change or a threat to democracy?”
Use a personal anecdote: “When I was in high school, I witnessed firsthand the negative impact of social media on my friend’s mental health.”
Provide background information
Define social media: “Social media refers to a variety of online platforms that allow users to share information, connect with others, and engage in social networking.”
Explain the history of social media: “Social media has its roots in early online communities like Usenet and bulletin board systems, but it wasn’t until the rise of platforms like Facebook and Twitter that it became a mainstream phenomenon.”
Outline the different types of social media: “There are a variety of social media platforms available, including social networking sites like Facebook and LinkedIn, microblogging sites like Twitter and Tumblr, and image-sharing sites like Instagram and Snapchat.”
Present your thesis statement
Focus on a specific aspect of social media: “While social media can be a useful tool for communication and entertainment, its addictive qualities and pressure to present a perfect image can have detrimental effects on mental health and well-being.”
Take a stance: “Social media is a net positive for society, providing a platform for marginalized voices to be heard and allowing for greater social connection and community building.”
Preview your main arguments: “In this essay, I will argue that social media is both a blessing and a curse, providing many benefits while also creating new challenges and problems that need to be addressed.”

How to Write the Body of a Social Media Argumentative Essay

The next section to write after the introduction is the body of your argumentative essay. Here are some tips on how to structure and write the body of your essay:

Develop your arguments: In the body of your essay, you will need to develop the arguments that support your thesis statement. Each argument should be presented in a separate paragraph, and you should use evidence and examples to support your claims. For example, if you are arguing that social media has a negative impact on mental health, you could provide studies or articles that support your position.
Address counterarguments: It is important to address counterarguments in your essay. This shows that you have considered different perspectives on the issue and strengthens your overall argument. For example, if you are arguing that social media has a negative impact on mental health, you could address the counterargument that social media can be a source of social support for some individuals.
Use transitional phrases: Use transitional phrases to move smoothly from one argument to the next. This helps your essay to flow and makes it easier for your reader to follow your argument. Examples of transitional phrases include “in addition,” “moreover,” and “furthermore.”
Provide a conclusion: Your conclusion should summarize your main arguments and restate your thesis statement. It should also provide some final thoughts or recommendations on the issue. Avoid introducing new information or arguments in your conclusion.

Example of an Argumentative Essay about Social Media

Title: Should social media platforms be held accountable for the spread of misinformation and fake news?

Did you know that your social media feed may be feeding you lies? In recent years, social media platforms have come under fire for their role in spreading fake news and misinformation. As more people turn to social media for their news and information, the potential impact of these falsehoods has become a growing concern. With debates raging about who should be held responsible for this spread of misinformation, this essay will argue that social media platforms must be held accountable for the consequences of the content they allow to spread. Social media has become a ubiquitous part of our daily lives, and with the increasing amount of information shared on these platforms, the potential for the spread of misinformation and fake news has become a significant concern. It is no longer a question of whether social media platforms should be held accountable for the spread of such content, but how they should be held accountable. Firstly, social media platforms must take responsibility for the accuracy and truthfulness of the content that is published on their platforms. Social media platforms are no longer mere conduits for information; they actively curate the content that is presented to users through algorithms and other tools (Allcott & Gentzkow, 2017). As such, they have the ability and the responsibility to ensure that the content that is presented to users is accurate and truthful. Social media platforms must be held accountable for any content that is found to be false, misleading or harmful to public health, safety, and well-being. Moreover, the impact of social media on public opinion and discourse cannot be understated. Studies have shown that the spread of fake news and misinformation can have a significant impact on public opinion and even influence election outcomes. As such, social media platforms have a responsibility to ensure that they are not facilitating the spread of false information that could influence important decision-making processes. They must ensure that their content policies and moderation practices are stringent enough to prevent the spread of harmful and false information. Some may argue that social media platforms should not be held accountable for the spread of misinformation and fake news as it can be difficult to determine what is true and false. However, this argument overlooks the fact that social media platforms have the resources and tools to combat the spread of false information(Allcott & Gentzkow, 2017). For example, these platforms can employ fact-checking mechanisms and algorithms that can detect false information and flag it for review. According to a study by Haim and Graefe (2018), social media platforms have the capability to implement these measures effectively. While it is true that detecting false information on social media platforms can be challenging, it is not an impossible task. In fact, social media platforms can improve their algorithms to better identify and flag false information. For instance, they can use machine learning and artificial intelligence to analyze patterns of behavior, source credibility, and language used to identify potentially false information. Moreover, social media platforms can collaborate with independent fact-checkers and news organizations to verify the accuracy of information before it is posted on their platforms (European Commission, 2018). By working with reputable sources, social media platforms can reduce the spread of misinformation and promote the sharing of accurate information. In conclusion, social media platforms should be held accountable for the spread of misinformation and fake news. As powerful gatekeepers of information, social media platforms have a responsibility to ensure that the content that is presented to users is accurate and truthful. They also have a legal obligation to remove illegal content, which may include false or misleading information. By taking these steps, social media platforms can help to mitigate the impact of misinformation and fake news on public opinion and discourse. References: Allcott, H., & Gentzkow, M. (2017). Social media and fake news in the 2016 election. Journal of Economic Perspectives, 31(2), 211-236. European Commission. (2018). Code of conduct on countering illegal hate speech online. Retrieved from https://ec.europa.eu/info/law/better-regulation/have-your-say/initiatives/11507-Code-of-conduct-on-countering-illegal-hate-speech-online-/public-feedback Haim, M., & Graefe, A. (2018). In a world of alternative facts, social media algorithms and crowdsourcing can help verify news. The Conversation. Retrieved from https://theconversation.com/in-a-world-of-alternative-facts-social-media-algorithms-and-crowdsourcing-can-help-verify-news-83503

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Social Media Addiction Essay

How it works

As a part of our daily life, social media shows a significant impact on society and has become a strong way to stay updated. Nothing spreads information faster than social media, which helps many people keep informed about the world’s current affairs. It has changed the way the world interacts by presenting many useful tools, namely, Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, Snapchat, etc. These technological advances assist those who are socially isolated to feel more connected to society, such as socially anxious citizens, since “More than 25% of teens report that social media makes them feel less shy, 28% report feeling more outgoing, and 20% report feeling more confident” (Are).

It also has proved to contribute to education in schools. , Its continuous use and high adherence rate made the world a powerful and better place to live in. However, even with many benefits, there are a lot of negative effects that come with this technology. Not only is social media made for personal use, but it also is a benefit for the catching and prosecuting process of criminals more efficiently.

According to “73% of federal, state, and local law enforcement professionals surveyed think social media helps solve crimes more quickly” (Are). Considering how easy it has become to find people on the internet due to the high online exposure, it is possible to track down almost anybody on websites nowadays. People may post pictures of criminals to alert others, as well as share a criminal’s last location when spotted. The fast share of information among the community can lead police departments to add tracking units to arrest criminals more effectively. Not only the population facilitates the task, but also some outlaws may contribute for their own detention by boasting about their crimes online, as in the case of “A gang charged with the beating of a gay couple in Philadelphia in 2014.” (Are).

Besides, social media has allowed students to work with new technologies. It helps them do research on topics that they have trouble understanding or use it to discuss educational topics when needed. Furthermore, these technologies assist those who are absent from school to catch up on missing assignments or even discussing group projects by contacting one another efficiently and needlessly of an in-person meeting. According to studies, “59% of students with access to the internet report that they use social media to discuss educational topics, and 50% use the sites to talk about school assignments” (Are).

Comparatively, a school in Oregon introduced an educational program that encourages kids to learn, “grades went up by 50%, chronic absenteeism went down by 33%, and 20% of students school-wide voluntarily completed extra-credit assignments” (Are). Educational programs make studying more entertaining by inserting a daily element on a youngster’s life, which includes the chance of writing in digital media over the traditional paper and pencil. The educational programs that are created now also allow teachers to understand the student’s struggles and work on them. In other words, social media can and should be used for educational purposes since it is intrinsically connected to students nowadays.

As research appears to show, “Social media users have been responsible for reporting events before traditional media outlets, including the Paris attacks in France on Nov. 13, 2015” (Are). It is correct to affirm that it is common nowadays to consider the internet a fundamental font of breaking news for professionals and casual users. It also plays an important role when it comes to alert people in emergencies, such as the Ebola outbreak that has happened in Nigeria and Sierra Leone in July 2014.

Despite all the benefits of social media, it is important to clarify that most of the bullying that happens nowadays takes place on the internet. Students, and even adults, have experienced cyberbullying. This unfortunate situation not only affects the self-image and esteem but also can cause, or worse, psychological pathologies, such as depression and anxiety. Indeed, in terms of negative effects caused by the unceasing use of these technologies, the mental health damages, mainly in the youngsters is the principal concern of neuro-physicians. Not only the negativity shared in the social media can be a reason for the disadvantages, after all, this is an essay on social media addiction.

As per analyzed, “With 91% of young people using the internet for social networking and rates of depression and anxiety in young people having risen by more than 70% in the past 25 years” (this.). But why is social media addictive? Studies portray that social media’s effects on the brain include a rush of dopamine, the hormone responsible for pleasure and satisfaction. The high and fast rushes created by the use of those media generate a pattern that ends up in an addictive cycle.

Overall, there are many positive effects that social media has on our society today. As revealed in the thesis statement, it has become essential for social interactions, educational purposes, access to the news, criminal investigations, and many other situations behalf of people’s lives. However, it can not be ignored that it also has a negative impact on the mental health of thousands of users. So it is important, for all intents and purposes, to pursue ways to minimize the damaging impacts and prevent future users from repeating the same negative cycles that lead to unhealthy relations with the technology. And undoubtedly, it is hard to imagine how society would be today without all the technologies acquired until now; besides, as common sense, these technologies only tend to be even more present in daily life. So it is important to be aware of the conscientious use of it. With all things considered, social media networking sites will continue to grow, play a fundamental role in our lives, and affect human life, whether positively or negatively.

“Are Social Networking Sites Good for Our Society.” socialnetworking.procon.org 2018 ProCon.org, 17 August 2018. Web. 26 October 2018.
Hatcher Patrick, Jon “20 Pros and Cons of Social Media.” www.sucess.com 2018 Success Magazine, 6 December 2017. Web. 3 November 2018.
Errington, Keith “Social Media Pros and Cons: The Top 10.” www.equinetmedia.com 2018 Equinet Media Ltd, 21 September 2018. Web. 3 November 2018.
Moreau, Elise “The Pros and Cons of Social Networking.” www.lifewire.com 2018 Lifewire, 19 November 2018. Web. 3 November 2018.

Social media addiction can have both favorable and unfavorable effects on an individual’s life. Benefits may include staying connected with loved ones, discovering new business opportunities, and accessing information. On the other hand, it can result in negative consequences such as feeling disconnected from the real world, excessive screen time, and missing important life events.

Determining the cause of social media addiction is complex, as it can result from a variety of factors. Individuals may develop an addiction due to the need for approval from others, while some may struggle with separating their online and offline lives. Moreover, some individuals may have a greater propensity for addiction based on their personality traits or impulsivity levels.

The influence of social media on mental health is a multifaceted and intricate matter. While some specialists argue that social media can positively impact mental health by providing a community of support and aiding individuals in staying connected, others claim that it can lead to negative effects such as loneliness, anxiety, and depression.

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Dear Life Kit
Life Skills

The Scientific Debate Over Teens, Screens And Mental Health

Anya Kamenetz

What's the link between smartphone use and teens' mental health?

More teens and young adults — particularly girls and young women — are reporting being depressed and anxious, compared with comparable numbers from the mid-2000s. Suicides are up too in that time period, most noticeably among girls ages 10 to 14.

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Shots - Health News

A rise in depression among teens and young adults could be linked to social media use, new research casts doubt on connection between smartphone use and teen mental health.

These trends are the basis of a scientific controversy.

Parents, Sometimes You're The Problem When It Comes To Tech Use

One hypothesis that has gotten a lot of traction is that with nearly every teen using a smartphone these days, digital media must take some of the blame for worsening mental health.

Parenting: Screen Time And Your Family

5 strategies for coping with screen-obsessed kids.

But some researchers argue that this theory isn't well supported by existing evidence and that it repeats a "moral panic" argument made many times in the past about video games, rap lyrics, television and even radio, back in its early days.

To understand both sides of the debate, I talked in detail to three researchers: one who argues that teens' use of tech is a big problem, one who thinks the danger is exaggerated and an expert in research methodology who suggests the connection may not be so simple. Very concerned about smartphones Jean Twenge, a professor of psychology at San Diego State University, may be the researcher most associated with the idea that smartphones are dangerous to teens. She's the author of the book iGen, whose 27-word subtitle states her thesis: Why Today's Super-Connected Kids Are Growing Up Less Rebellious, More Tolerant, Less Happy — and Completely Unprepared for Adulthood — and What That Means for the Rest of Us .

"At first, when I saw these trends in loneliness and unhappiness and depression starting to spike around 2011 or 2012, I really had no idea what could possibly be causing that. It was a real mystery," she tells NPR. Then, she says, she took note of Pew research that showed 2012 was the first year that most cell phone owners had switched to smartphones. Not only do these two trend lines seem to coincide in time, but Twenge also notes that young people who report spending the most time on smartphones — five to seven hours a day — are twice as likely to report being depressed as those who use their phones for one to two hours a day.

Twenge isn't claiming to have proved that smartphones cause depression. The data sets she works with — essentially large surveys — don't allow for that.

At Your Wits' End With A Screen-Obsessed Kid? Read This

"It is impossible to do a random controlled trial on generations because you can't randomly assign people to be born at different times. So we cannot prove causation given that limitation," she explains. "So we have to go on the data that we have — which is obviously not going to be a true experiment — but it adds up to a lot of evidence pointing toward technology possibly playing a role in this increase in mental health issues."

Evidence — with caveats Given that all teens use media, I asked Twenge, why would the worsening trend in mental health be more pronounced in girls than in boys?

She responded with one possible explanation: Social media, which girls tend to spend more time on, may be the culprit.

"Social media invites comparison," Twenge says. "It's not in real time. It invites anxiety over the likes and responses that you're going to get."

Given that adults use media even more than teenagers, why does this trend crop up in teens? Twenge says it's because their brains are still vulnerable and developing. Plus, they haven't had as much time to make social connections in real life as older people have, so they are even more dependent on their phones for social validation.

Twenge even thinks that the availability of smartphones could help explain the rise in suicide rates among the youngest girls. "They have more access to information online — potentially harmful information about how to harm yourself."

My final question for Twenge: She, personally, made a very similar argument about young people before smartphones existed. She previously published a book, Generation Me, that looked at similar data sets and labeled the millennial generation as "miserable," "narcissistic" and "anxious." That book came out in 2006; the iPhone was introduced in 2007. Is she putting old wine in new bottles?

Twenge says that comparing then with now, mental health trends are even more negative for what she calls iGen and, in retrospect, "more of a mixed bag" for millennials.

Not worth the time

Parents are concerned. Detox programs have sprung up to treat teen tech addiction. But some researchers are skeptical of the hypothesis that smartphones cause problems.

One team has published three papers that analyzed the same data Twenge is looking at — over 350,000 participants in three nationwide surveys in the U.S. and the United Kingdom. Amy Orben, the lead author of each paper and a psychologist at Oxford University, says the team found that the actual negative relationship between teens' mental health and technology use is tiny. "A teenagers' technology use can only explain less than 1% of variation in well-being," Orben says. "It's so small that it's surpassed by whether a teenager wears glasses to school," or rides a bicycle, or eats potatoes — all comparisons made by Orben and her Oxford co-author Andrew K. Przybylski.

How can this be? Well, smartphone use is almost ubiquitous among teenagers today, while only a small minority report mental health problems. So, knowing that a teenager uses a smartphone, even for many hours a day, won't reliably predict that the teenager will become depressed. It tells you far, far less than factors like genetics or the presence of childhood trauma, for example.

Orben has been researching the history of people making dire claims about young people and new forms of media. For example, she says, "In the 1940s, people were already talking about 'radio addiction.' One study found that fully 57% of children ages 6 to 16 were severely 'addicted to radio programs and needed them like an alcoholic does their drink.' "

She thinks the negative trends in mental health could be explained by a wide range of factors: economic anxiety or political upheaval, to name two. And, she adds, there's a chance that young people today may simply be more open in surveys when asked about mental health challenges. "A lot of teenagers are a lot more OK to say they're not OK." Ironically, this openness may in fact be partly due to social media.

Twenge responds that a forthcoming paper she has written, currently under review, will challenge the conclusions of Orben's team. She says that just because the impact of smartphone use appears small, that doesn't mean it's insignificant, especially since, unlike genetics, it may be controllable.

Statistically problematic As a sort of referee on this debate, I called up Katherine Keyes, an epidemiologist at Columbia University's Mailman School of Public Health. Her focus is on explaining population-wide trends, particularly in adolescent mental health.

She too is a critic of Twenge's work, saying it has a tendency to "skew the data" by zooming in on screen use to the exclusion of other factors in the lives of adolescents.

And, she says, there are lots of numbers that don't necessarily fit Twenge's theory.

Not all the news is bad when it comes to teens. High school graduation rates are up, for example. Drug and alcohol use is down, as are car crashes and teen pregnancy.

We're not seeing the same negative trends in every country, even in those where teens are just as glued to their screens as they are in the United States.

There isn't a linear relationship between screen use and mental health. On most surveys, teens who use their phones up to two hours a day appear healthier than those who don't use them at all. This doesn't count other reasons for technology use, such as homework or listening to music.

In the case of heavy users, Keyes says, smartphone use may be more a symptom than a cause of mental health problems. Or there may be a third variable that is driving both — like a lack of parental support or health issues. The explanation that Keyes finds most compelling is that there is a "bidirectional" relationship among teens, screens and mental health. In other words, as argued in this paper by Candice Odgers in the journal Nature, teens who are already struggling may be more drawn to screens and more likely to form unhealthy relationships with media, for example by seeking out information on self-harm or encountering cyberbullies. The time they spend online might in turn make them feel worse.

Twenge agrees with the general idea that "social media invites comparisons and anxiety."

What's a parent to do? Although their conclusions are different, no researcher I've spoken with thinks it's a great idea to let teens scroll through TikTok or play Fortnite all day and night.

Twenge, Orben and Keyes are supportive of similar common-sense rules, like making sure teens don't have their phones in their bedrooms late at night and trying to ensure that their lives are balanced with outdoor exercise, school and face-to-face time with friends and family.

So why should the average parent worry about this scientific controversy? Because, Keyes says, when parents simply demonize phones, "there's less of a communications channel" about what teens are encountering online. A parent's opportunity to mentor or support positive uses of media is replaced by "confrontation on a day-to-day basis." Well-meaning parents, wrongly believing the phone to be as risky as a cigarette or a beer, may actually be making their children's lives harder by fighting with them about it.

Correction Aug. 31, 2019

A previous version of this story mistakenly cited Professor Katherine Keyes as saying the decline in adolescent mental health has leveled off. Keyes was not the source of this information. Keyes' research instead showed adolescent mental health has been declining since 2012.

Home — Essay Samples — Sociology — Effects of Social Media — Social Media Addiction: Consequences and Strategies for Recovery

Social Media Addiction: Consequences and Strategies for Recovery

Categories: Effects of Social Media Media Influence Social Media

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Words: 559 |

Published: Jul 15, 2020

Words: 559 | Page: 1 | 3 min read

Introduction, suggested solution, social media anxiety disorder.

David Blackwell, 21 April 2017 Extraversion, neuroticism, attachment style and fear of missing out as predictors of social media use and addiction. From https://doi.org/10.1016/j.paid.2017.04.039 .
Przybylski et al., 2013 A.K. Przybylski, K. Murayama, C.R. DeHaan, V. Gladwell Motivational, emotional, and behavioral correlates of fear of missing out Computers in Human Behavior (2013), pp. 1841-1848, 10.1016/j.chb.2013.02.014.
Weidman, A.C., Fernandez, K.C., Levinson, C.A., Augustine, A.A., Larsen, R.J., & Rodebaugh, T.L. (2012). Compensatory internet use among individuals higher in social anxiety and its implications for well-being. Personality and Individual Differences, 53(3), 191-195. Retrieved from http://dx.doi.org.ezproxy.liberty.edu/10.1016/j.paid.2012.03.003
Parade, S.H., Leerkes, E.M., & Blankson, A.N. (2010). Attachment to parents, social anxiety, and close relationships of female students over the transition to college. Journal of Youth and Adolescence, 39(2), 127-137. doi: 10.1007/s10964-009-9396-x.
Cludius, B., Stevens, S., Bantin, T., Gerlach, A., & Hermann, C. (2013). The motive to drink due to social anxiety and its relation to hazardous alcohol use. Psychology of Addictive Behaviors, 27(3), 806-813. doi: 10.1037/a0032295.

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Essay on Addiction Of Social Media

Students are often asked to write an essay on Addiction Of Social Media in their schools and colleges. And if you’re also looking for the same, we have created 100-word, 250-word, and 500-word essays on the topic.

Let’s take a look…

100 Words Essay on Addiction Of Social Media

Understanding social media addiction.

Social media addiction is when a person spends too much time on social media sites like Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat, etc. This can lead to problems like ignoring schoolwork, losing sleep, and even feeling unhappy. It’s like a bad habit that’s hard to break.

The Causes of Addiction

People often get addicted to social media because it makes them feel good. They like getting likes, comments, and shares. It can also be because they feel lonely or bored. Social media seems like an easy way to feel better or pass the time.

Effects of Social Media Addiction

Being addicted to social media can cause problems. It can lead to poor grades in school because of not studying. It can also cause lack of sleep, which can make you feel tired and grumpy. You might even stop spending time with friends and family.

Overcoming Social Media Addiction

Breaking free from social media addiction is not easy but possible. One can start by setting time limits for using social media. Also, finding other activities like sports or reading can help. Talking about the problem with someone you trust can also help.

250 Words Essay on Addiction Of Social Media

Social media addiction is when a person spends too much time on social media sites like Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and others. It’s like a drug, where the more you use, the more you want to use. This can lead to problems with school, work, and relationships.

Signs of Social Media Addiction

There are several signs that you might be addicted to social media. You might check your accounts constantly, even when you’re supposed to be doing other things. You might also feel anxious or upset if you can’t use social media. You might even ignore real-life activities to spend more time online.

Addiction to social media can have serious effects. It can hurt your school grades because you’re not focusing on your work. It can also harm your relationships because you’re not spending time with people in person. In addition, it can lead to mental health issues like anxiety and depression.

Ways to Combat Social Media Addiction

There are ways to combat social media addiction. You can set limits on how much time you spend on social media each day. You can also turn off notifications so you’re not tempted to check constantly. It’s also important to spend time doing other things you enjoy, like reading, playing sports, or hanging out with friends in person.

In conclusion, social media addiction is a serious problem that can have harmful effects. But by recognizing the signs and taking steps to control your use, you can overcome this addiction. It’s all about balance – using social media in a healthy way while still enjoying real life.

500 Words Essay on Addiction Of Social Media

Introduction.

Social media has become a big part of our lives. We use it to chat with friends, share photos, and learn about the world. But sometimes, we spend too much time on it. This is called social media addiction.

What is Social Media Addiction?

Social media addiction is when a person spends so much time on social media that it starts to affect their life in a bad way. They might not do their homework, or they might not spend time with their family. They might even feel sad or angry when they can’t use social media.

The Causes of Social Media Addiction

There are many reasons why people get addicted to social media. One reason is that it makes them feel good. When someone likes or comments on their post, it can make them feel happy and important. Another reason is that it can help them feel less lonely. If they are feeling sad or bored, they can go on social media and talk to their friends.

The Effects of Social Media Addiction

Social media addiction can have many bad effects. It can make a person feel anxious or depressed. They might worry a lot about what other people think of them. It can also make them feel lonely. Even though they are talking to people online, they are not spending time with people in real life. This can make them feel alone and sad.

Another bad effect is that it can affect their school work. If they are spending too much time on social media, they might not have time to study or do their homework. This can lead to bad grades.

How to Overcome Social Media Addiction

Overcoming social media addiction is not easy, but it is possible. The first step is to admit that there is a problem. The next step is to set limits. This means deciding how much time to spend on social media each day, and sticking to it. It can also help to find other activities to do, like reading a book or playing a sport.

Social media can be a fun and useful tool. But like anything else, it is important to use it in a balanced way. If we spend too much time on it, it can lead to problems like anxiety, depression, and poor grades. By setting limits and finding other activities to enjoy, we can avoid these problems and have a healthier relationship with social media.

That’s it! I hope the essay helped you.

If you’re looking for more, here are essays on other interesting topics:

Essay on Addiction As A Disease Or Choice
Essay on Achieving Goals And Working Hard
Essay on Achievement I Am Proud Of

Apart from these, you can look at all the essays by clicking here .

Happy studying!

Learning From Pros To Write Persuasive Essays About Social Media

By: Donna C.

Reviewed By: Jacklyn H.

Published on: Jan 26, 2023

Writing a persuasive essay about social media can be tough. Most people want to make sure they convince their readers of their argument without coming across as aggressive.

We’ve gathered some examples you can use to write a persuasive essay about social media.

They will show you how to structure your argument, choose evidence, and avoid common mistakes.

With our help, you'll be able to write a convincing essay that will get your reader's attention.

Let’s get started!

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What is a Persuasive Essay?

A persuasive essay tries to convince readers to accept your point of view or opinion on a particular topic.

You must take a stand, support it with facts and evidence, and explain why it's the right viewpoint.

It's not enough to just give an opinion; you need to back it up with data and research.

Persuasive essays are usually written as argumentative essays, so you must develop a thesis statement and support it with evidence.

Writing a persuasive essay can be difficult. Using strong logic and careful arguments can convince your readers to see things from your perspective.

How to start a Persuasive essay about social media?

Here’s how you can start a persuasive essay:

Start your persuasive essay about social networking sites by introducing the issue and outlining why it matters.
Explain the potential implications of unrestricted access to social media and how that could affect our society.
Take a stance on the issue, supporting it with evidence from reliable sources.
Discuss ways social media can be used to benefit our lives, as well as possible risks associated with its use.
End your persuasive essay with a call to action, encouraging readers to make informed decisions about social media usage.

Need help in starting your essay? See how you can create a persuasive essay outline .

Remember, the main goal of your essay is to persuade readers to consider your point of view.

Paper Due? Why Suffer? That's our Job!

Here is an example to show you how to write an introduction:

Persuasive essay about social media introduction

Not sure on how to write the intro? Watch this video to write a perfect introduction.

Persuasive Essay Examples About Social Media

Social media has become an integral part of our lives. It's time to understand its power and impact.

Let’s start with a simple persuasive essay about social media.

Here are a few persuasive essay examples that showcase the potential of social media positively and negatively.

Persuasive essay about social media addiction

Persuasive essay about social media platforms are a danger to our privacy

Persuasive essay about social media - beneficial or harmful

Persuasive essay about social media privacy

Examples Of Argumentative Essay About Social Media

It's clear that social media has changed how we interact and communicate with others. So it's no surprise that this topic makes for an excellent argumentative essay.

Here are some examples of argumentative essays about social media that you can use as inspiration to get started:

Argumentative essay about social media advantages and disadvantages

Argumentative essay about social media addiction

Argumentative essay about social media on students

Looking for more sample PDFs? Take a look at these persuasive essay examples !

Tough Essay Due? Hire Tough Writers!

Persuasive Essay Topics About Social Media

Here are some ideas for persuasive essay topics about social media:

Should governments be able to control the content that appears on social networks?
How can companies protect their data from hackers and other malicious actors on social media platforms?
How has social media impacted real-life relationships between individuals and groups?
Are influencers a powerful tool of persuasion, or are they a threat to democracy?
How can schools and universities use social media responsibly in the classroom?
Should employers be allowed to monitor their employees' use of social media during work hours?
Is the current data privacy landscape sufficient to protect individual users on social networks?
Should businesses be held accountable for their social media content?
How have the algorithms used by social media companies impacted our lives?
What are the ethical implications of using targeted advertising based on user data collected from social networks?

Need more options? Here are some more persuasive essay topics for you!

Let’s sum it up!

Social media isn't going away anytime soon, and lots of people need to understand the benefits and dangers of using it.

By writing a persuasive essay about social media, you can help others become more aware of both sides of the issue.

Our examples make it easier for people to make an informed decision about how to use it responsibly.

Make your voice heard and write a persuasive essay about social media today.

Are you looking for an essay writer who can craft an argument that will make your reader stand up and listen?

SharkPapers.com has got you covered!

Our essay writing service is designed to help you create the perfect argument supported by expert-level research and compelling evidence.

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Let our persuasive essay writer craft the perfect argument for you today!

Frequently Asked Questions

What are some good persuasive essay topics.

When choosing a topic, you need something interesting that grabs the reader’s attention.

Here are some great topics for your next persuasive essay:

1. Should schools have mandatory uniforms? 2. Should students be allowed to use cell phones in class? 3. Should we get rid of teacher tenure? 4. Is gun control an effective way to reduce crime rates? 5. Do video games lead to violence among teens?

How do you write an introduction for social media essay?

The main purpose of an introduction is to provide a general overview of the topic and spark interest in readers. So it should be concise yet intriguing.

To give you an idea, here are some advice and tips on how to write an effective introduction:

1. Start with a hook 2. Provide background information 3. Include relevant research studies 4. Mention central points

What is a good title for a social media essay?

If you're looking for a great title for a social media essay, why not consider this:

"The Impact of Social Media on Our Lives: A Detailed Analysis".

Law, Education

Donna writes on a broad range of topics, but she is mostly passionate about social issues, current events, and human-interest stories. She has received high praise for her writing from both colleagues and readers alike. Donna is known in her field for creating content that is not only professional but also captivating.

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Social Media Argumentative Essay Topics: 50+ Ideas (2023)

by Antony W

April 21, 2023

The advent of social media was for one greater cause: to bring people together and enhance interaction regardless of their demography.

Today, the internet has made it easier to connect based on social, economic, and political grounds, with people world apart connecting with the click of a button.

When it comes to social media topics that you can use in an argumentative essay, your options are no doubt unlimited.

In this post, we provide you with 30+ social media argumentative essay topics that you can copy, paste, and start exploring right away.

What is a Social Media Essay?

An argumentative essay on social media allows you to examine the impact of social networking platforms from both sides.

Like any other assignment in the category, you have to take a position on the top and then use logic, reason, and irrefutable evidence to support your claim.

The structure of the argument remains the same, so we won’t dwell much on that.

As you write the essay, you also have to consider and account for the other side of the argument and then use the strongest post or best evidence possible to respond to the counterclaims.

Social Media Argumentative Essay Topics

The following is a list of 30+ topics that you can explore if your instructor has asked you to write a social media argumentative essay:

Social media is responsible for the destruction of real-life communication
Should the government ban Facebook, Twitter, and WhatsApp permanently?
Is our addiction to online social networking out of control?
Constant social media connection causes stress and loneliness in people
Can children under the age of 18 own social media accounts?
Are social media websites effective platforms for communication?
Social media is the primary source of inferiority complex among teens
Should Twitter introduce an algorithm that automatically filters negative and aggressive content?
Does Facebook have the legal right to leave personal information of its users?
Has social networking reduced the rate of unemployment?
Should social network users have the right to obscure their identity online?
Is our culture of online shaming and cyberbullying on Facebook and WhatsApp completely out of control?
Social media makes teenagers more attracted to their physical appearance
Does the use of social media make humans feel more alone?
Should parents have the right to monitor and control what their teen children post on social media?
The endorsements of celebrities on social media are unethical.
It’s possible to have a life without social networks at this time
Should emotional outburst be something we allow on social media?
Celebrities are a negative influence to the young people on social media
Is social media addiction at this time easy to control?
Did Facebook really have to create the “Love” button?
Are social media owners responsible for the excessive use of abusive language in the comment sections of their platforms?
Should people with no special skills get famous and become social media celebrities or influencers?
Are celebrity endorsements on social media misleading to clients?
Can the use of social media for business help to boost enterprise appeal to the targeted clientele?
Should human resource hire employees based on what the post on social media?
Social media cannot help your business to succeed
Should the government have the right to monitor and control what we post on social media?
Facebook and WhatsApp groups play a huge role in promoting cyberbullying
Should individuals first learn how to use caution while posting something online?
Do social media facilitate or hinder actual communication?
Are social media platforms undermining the democratic ideal?
Which between Twitter and Facebook provides a better platform for a company advertisement?
Are social media destroying the integrity of human relationships?
Should we utilize social media more frequently to affect lives as opposed to impressing others?
Does social media addiction enhance dopamine production in the brain?
Has social media contributed to unrealistic life expectations that frequently result in depression?
Has the use of social media resulted in greater time loss than any other activity?
What are the harmful effects of adolescents’ continuous use of social media?
What harmful behaviors have you developed because of your social media usage?
Should social platform creators be accountable for harm caused by their platforms?
Which is more effective, face-to-face or virtual communication?
Do Family-based reality programs on social media do more damage than good?
What effects do social media have on the lives of adolescents?
Does it matter how many likes one receives on social media?
Should social media users pay to increase their likes and views?
Do social media control people’s emotions by the content they select to display?
Due to social networking, personal connections are becoming weaker.
Have social media decreased the company’s rate of job productivity?
Which was superior, the world before social media or the world after?
Should children have the permission to participate in social media?
Have social media impacted the educational process?
Is social media a cause of youth discontentment?
What effect have social media had on the purchasing behavior of consumers?
Is social media deceptive and mostly irrelevant to an individual’s development?
Are social paths using social media to attract unwelcome attention?
Is social media spreading deceptive images of how the world should be?
Is social media responsible for a rise in adolescent suicide rates?

Social media essays may appear easy to write, but there is just so much overwhelming information on the subject that you may feel stuck on topic selection.

If you need help to get the essay written, especially if you can’t bring yourself to construct solid arguments, you can hire an argumentative essay writer from Help for Assessment for assistance.

Our goal with this service is simple. We want to help you understand the topic you’ve chosen better and help you get the essay written fast. Then, you can use the paper you get from us as reference to write the final draft in your own style and tone. Click here to order .

How to Write Your Social Media Argumentative Essay

Before you begin writing your essay about social media, you must arrange your themes and ideas in a manner that makes writing much easier. So, here’s how you should approach this assignment:

1. Review the Assignment’s Instructions

The type of essay needed by your instructor will influence the structure you use, so be sure you understand what you must write.

It is also beneficial to read examples of other students’ work, which some tutors may provide. The samples will help you to write a high quality social media essay on a short time.

2. Choose a Topic that Interests You

This may be the most difficult step if your professor does not give a list of potential subjects to investigate. To aid you in narrowing down potential themes for your essay about social media, we have given you some example topics that you can explore.

If you don’t find any of the topics we’ve shared with you to be a good fit for your assignment, simply do additional internet search for more ideas. Alternatively, you can get ask your friends to share some additional ideas with you, especially if they spend most of their time on social media.

3. Research Your Topic

Personal perspectives and experiences may be significant, but you should support them by high-quality scientific evidence. Social media is an important academic field, so there should be enough research materials to help you write an argumentative essay on the subject that you choose.

If you are required to write an essay about social media and its impact, for instance, you should learn about the good and negative effects of social media.

4. Focus on the Main Points

These may contain your ideas, research results, and other pertinent data. Note any fresh ideas that occur to you about your selected topic.

Create an effective thesis statement. What will be the most crucial concept in your essay, based on all you have read? Do you wish to compose an essay about the downsides of social media? Or have you discovered that social networking is significantly more beneficial than most people believe?

Writing a thesis statement that limits the scope of your essay lays the groundwork for its organization.

5. Countercheck Your Points

Recheck your points to determine if any of them do not support your argument. These deletions will assist you in ensuring that your essay is well organized and focused. If you wish to discuss bullying on social media, for instance, you should not include a separate section on the educational uses of social media. Irrelevant remarks may confuse the reader and lose you a few additional points.

6. Write an Essay that Makes Sense

Create section headings that match to your primary points. Writing the titles of each part will assist you in arranging your arguments in a logical fashion. This will guarantee that your essay has a natural flow and is interesting to read.

If certain elements don’t appear to belong together in one area, rearrange them or replace them with relevant assertions.

A conclusion for an essay about social media should summarize your arguments and demonstrate how they support your thesis. Do not include any new material at this point, as doing so may confuse your readers and make your essay appear incomplete.

Tips to Write a Good Social Media Argumentative Essay

The following are some tips that you can use to write a good argumentative essay on social media:

Choose a Topic of Interest

Don’t a topic from your gut. And just because a topic looks good from the face value doesn’t make it a suitable option for your argumentative essay assignment.

Consider choosing a topic that interests you. It can be something you’ve spent a lot of time research lately or an issue you’ve always wanted to explore further.

If you do that, you will have an easy time researching your topic and defending your position on the social media issue you wish to address.

Include Examples in Your Essay

Your readers are interested in knowing why you’ve taken a stand on a given social media issue, even if they don’t currently hold that position.

An interesting way to capture their attention and solidify your position is to include relevant examples in your essay.

These examples should not only be relevant but also be things they can easily identify with or relate to.

For example, if your topic is on “Social Media causing unproductivity at workplace”, you can give relevant examples that show how it creates distraction and lack of attention tom details in workplace.

Use an Outline to Write the Essay

There’s a lot you can write about social media, but you can be sure that most of it is going to be either irrelevant or quite too obvious.

If you want your essay to grab the attention of your professor, use an essay outline for prewriting.

We can’t even start to explain how valuable an outline is. It’s such a powerful framework that lets you organize your thoughts in a logical order.

It also allows you to think those points through and determine whether they’ll be relevant for your social media essay.

Get Social Media Argumentative Essay Writing Help

Don’t let your social media argumentative essay be a burden to you. We at Help for Assessment, through our argumentative essay writing service, can help to point you in the right direction so you can get your work done right.

It doesn’t matter if you feel stuck or you need a step in the right direction, our amazingly talented team is here to help.

About the author

Antony W is a professional writer and coach at Help for Assessment. He spends countless hours every day researching and writing great content filled with expert advice on how to write engaging essays, research papers, and assignments.

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Guest Essay

The Happiness Gap Between Left and Right Isn’t Closing

A woman’s face with red lipstick and red-and-white stripes on one side in imitation of an American flag.

By Thomas B. Edsall

Mr. Edsall contributes a weekly column from Washington, D.C., on politics, demographics and inequality.

Why is it that a substantial body of social science research finds that conservatives are happier than liberals?

A partial answer: Those on the right are less likely to be angered or upset by social and economic inequities, believing that the system rewards those who work hard, that hierarchies are part of the natural order of things and that market outcomes are fundamentally fair.

Those on the left stand in opposition to each of these assessments of the social order, prompting frustration and discontent with the world around them.

The happiness gap has been with us for at least 50 years, and most research seeking to explain it has focused on conservatives. More recently, however, psychologists and other social scientists have begun to dig deeper into the underpinnings of liberal discontent — not only unhappiness but also depression and other measures of dissatisfaction.

One of the findings emerging from this research is that the decline in happiness and in a sense of agency is concentrated among those on the left who stress matters of identity, social justice and the oppression of marginalized groups.

There is, in addition, a parallel phenomenon taking place on the right as Donald Trump and his MAGA loyalists angrily complain of oppression by liberals who engage in a relentless vendetta to keep Trump out of the White House.

There is a difference in the way the left and right react to frustration and grievance. Instead of despair, the contemporary right has responded with mounting anger, rejecting democratic institutions and norms.

In a 2021 Vox article, “ Trump and the Republican Revolt Against Democracy ,” Zack Beauchamp described in detail the emergence of destructive and aggressive discontent among conservatives.

Citing a wide range of polling data and academic studies, Beauchamp found:

More than twice as many Republicans (39 percent) as Democrats (17 percent) believed that “if elected leaders won’t protect America, the people must act — even if that means violence.”

Fifty-seven percent of Republicans considered Democrats to be “enemies,” compared with 41 percent of Democrats who viewed Republicans as “enemies.”

Among Republicans, support for “the use of force to defend our way of life,” as well as for the belief that “strong leaders bend rules” and that “sometimes you have to take the law in your own hands,” grows stronger in direct correlation with racial and ethnic hostility.

Trump has repeatedly warned of the potential for political violence. In January he predicted bedlam if the criminal charges filed in federal and state courts against him damaged his presidential campaign:

I think they feel this is the way they’re going to try and win, and that’s not the way it goes. It’ll be bedlam in the country. It’s a very bad thing. It’s a very bad precedent. As we said, it’s the opening of a Pandora’s box.

Before he was indicted in New York, Trump claimed there would be “potential death and destruction” if he was charged.

At an Ohio campaign rally in March, Trump declared, “If I don’t get elected, it’s going to be a blood bath for the whole country.”

In other words, Trump and his allies respond to adversity and what they see as attacks from the left with threats and anger, while a segment of the left often but not always responds to adversity and social inequity with dejection and sorrow.

There are significant consequences for this internalization.

Jamin Halberstadt , a professor of psychology at the University of Otago in New Zealand and a co-author of “ Outgroup Threat and the Emergence of Cohesive Groups : A Cross-Cultural Examination,” argued in his emailed reply to my inquiry that because “a focus on injustice and victimhood is, by definition, disempowering (isn’t that why we talk of ‘survivors’ rather than ‘victims’?), loss of control is not good for self-esteem or happiness.”

But, he pointed out:

this focus, while no doubt a part of the most visible and influential side of progressive ideology, is still just a part. Liberalism is a big construct, and I’m reluctant to reduce it to a focus on social justice issues. Some liberals have this view, but I suspect their influence is outsized because (a) they have the social media megaphone and (b) we are in a climate in which freedom of expression and, in particular, challenges to the worldview you characterize have been curtailed.

Expanding on this line of argument, Halberstadt wrote:

I’m sure some self-described liberals have views that are counterproductive to their own happiness. One sub-ideology associated with liberalism is, as you describe, a sense of victimhood and grievance. But there is more than one way to respond to structural barriers. Within that group of the aggrieved, some probably see systemic problems that cannot be overcome, and that’s naturally demoralizing and depressing. But others see systemic problems as a challenge to overcome.

Taking Halberstadt’s assessment of the effects of grievance and victimhood a step farther, Timothy A. Judge , the chairman of the department of management and human resources at Notre Dame, wrote in a 2009 paper, “ Core Self-Evaluations and Work Success ”:

Core self-evaluations (C.S.E.) is a broad, integrative trait indicated by self-esteem, locus of control, generalized self-efficacy and (low) neuroticism (high emotional stability). Individuals with high levels of C.S.E. perform better on their jobs, are more successful in their careers, are more satisfied with their jobs and lives, report lower levels of stress and conflict, cope more effectively with setbacks and better capitalize on advantages and opportunities.

I asked Judge and other scholars a question: Have liberal pessimists fostered an outlook that spawns unhappiness as its adherents believe they face seemingly insurmountable structural barriers?

Judge replied by email:

I do share the perspective that a focus on status, hierarchies and institutions that reinforce privilege contributes to an external locus of control. And the reason is fairly straightforward. We can only change these things through collective and, often, policy initiatives — which tend to be complex, slow, often conflictual and outside our individual control. On the other hand, if I view “life’s chances” (Virginia Woolf’s term) to be mostly dependent on my own agency, this reflects an internal focus, which will often depend on enacting initiatives largely within my control.

Judge elaborated on his argument:

If our predominant focus in how we view the world is social inequities, status hierarchies, societal unfairness conferred by privilege, then everyone would agree that these things are not easy to fix, which means, in a sense, we must accept some unhappy premises: Life isn’t fair; outcomes are outside my control, often at the hands of bad, powerful actors; social change depends on collective action that may be conflictual; an individual may have limited power to control their own destiny, etc. These are not happy thoughts because they cause me to view the world as inherently unfair, oppressive, conflictual, etc. It may or may not be right, but I would argue that these are in fact viewpoints of how we view the world, and our place in it, that would undermine our happiness.

Last year, George Yancey , a professor of sociology at Baylor University, published “ Identity Politics, Political Ideology, and Well-Being : Is Identity Politics Good for Our Well-Being?”

Yancey argued that recent events “suggest that identity politics may correlate to a decrease in well-being, particularly among young progressives, and offer an explanation tied to internal elements within political progressiveness.”

By focusing on “political progressives, rather than political conservatives,” Yancey wrote, “a nuanced approach to understanding the relationship between political ideology and well-being begins to emerge.”

Identity politics, he continued, focuses “on external institutional forces that one cannot immediately alleviate.” It results in what scholars call the externalization of one’s locus of control, or viewing the inequities of society as a result of powerful if not insurmountable outside forces, including structural racism, patriarchy and capitalism, as opposed to believing that individuals can overcome such obstacles through hard work and collective effort.

As a result, Yancey wrote, “identity politics may be an important mechanism by which progressive political ideology can lead to lower levels of well-being.”

Conversely, Yancey pointed out, “a class-based progressive cognitive emphasis may focus less on the group identity, generating less of a need to rely on emotional narratives and dichotomous thinking and may be less likely to be detrimental to the well-being of a political progressive.”

Yancey tested this theory using data collected in the 2021 Baylor Religion Survey of 1,232 respondents.

“Certain types of political progressive ideology can have contrasting effects on well-being,” Yancey wrote. “It is plausible that identity politics may explain the recent increase well-being gap between conservatives and progressives.”

Oskari Lahtinen , a senior researcher in psychology at the University of Turku in Finland, published a study in March, “ Construction and Validation of a Scale for Assessing Critical Social Justice Attitudes ,” that reinforces Yancey’s argument.

Lahtinen conducted two surveys of a total of 5,878 men and women to determine the share of Finnish citizens who held “critical social justice attitudes” and how those who held such views differed from those who did not.

Critical social justice proponents, on Lahtinen’s scale,

point out varieties of oppression that cause privileged people (e.g., male, white, heterosexual, cisgender) to benefit over marginalized people (e.g., woman, Black, gay, transgender). In critical race theory, some of the core tenets include that (1) white supremacy and racism are omnipresent and colorblind policies are not enough to tackle them, (2) people of color have their own unique standpoint and (3) races are social constructs.

What did Lahtinen find?

The critical social justice propositions encountered

strong rejection from men. Women expressed more than twice as much support for the propositions. In both studies, critical social justice was correlated modestly with depression, anxiety, and (lack of) happiness, but not more so than being on the political left was.

In an email responding to my inquiries about his paper, Lahtinen wrote that one of the key findings in his research was that “there were large differences between genders in critical social justice advocacy: Three out of five women but only one out of seven men expressed support for the critical social justice claims.”

In addition, he pointed out, “there was one variable in the study that closely corresponded to external locus of control: ‘Other people or structures are more responsible for my well-being than I myself am.’”

The correlation between agreement with this statement and unhappiness was among the strongest in the survey:

People on the left endorsed this item (around 2 on a scale of 0 to 4) far more than people on the right (around 0.5). Endorsing the belief was determined by political party preference much more than by gender, for instance.

Such measures as locus of control, self-esteem, a belief in personal agency and optimism all play major roles in daily life.

In a December 2022 paper, “ The Politics of Depression : Diverging Trends in Internalizing Symptoms Among U.S. Adolescents by Political Beliefs,” Catherine Gimbrone , Lisa M. Bates , Seth Prins and Katherine M. Keyes , all at Columbia’s Mailman School of Public Health, noted that “trends in adolescent internalizing symptoms diverged by political beliefs, sex and parental education over time, with female liberal adolescents experiencing the largest increases in depressive symptoms, especially in the context of demographic risk factors, including parental education.”

“These findings,” they added, “indicate a growing mental health disparity between adolescents who identify with certain political beliefs. It is therefore possible that the ideological lenses through which adolescents view the political climate differentially affect their mental well-being.”

Gimbrone and her co-authors based their work on studies of 85,000 teenagers from 2005 to 2018. They found that

while internalizing symptom scores worsened over time for all adolescents, they deteriorated most quickly for female liberal adolescents. Beginning in approximately 2010 and continuing through 2018, female liberal adolescents reported the largest changes in depressive affect, self-esteem, self-derogation and loneliness.

In conclusion, the authors wrote, “socially underprivileged liberals reported the worst internalizing symptom scores over time, likely indicating that the experiences and beliefs that inform a liberal political identity are ultimately less protective against poor mental health than those that inform a conservative political identity.”

From another vantage point, Nick Haslam , a professor of psychology at the University of Melbourne, argued in his 2020 paper “ Harm Inflation: Making Sense of Concept Creep ” that recent years have seen “a rising sensitivity to harm within at least some Western cultures, such that previously innocuous or unremarked phenomena were increasingly identified as harmful and that this rising sensitivity reflected a politically liberal moral agenda.”

As examples, Haslam wrote that the definition of “trauma” has been

progressively broadened to include adverse life events of decreasing severity and those experienced vicariously rather than directly. “Mental disorder” came to include a wider range of conditions, so that new forms of psychopathology were added in each revision of diagnostic manuals and the threshold for diagnosing some existing forms was lowered. “Abuse” extended from physical acts to verbal and emotional slights and incorporated forms of passive neglect in addition to active aggression.

Haslam described this process as concept creep and argued that “some examples of concept creep are surely the work of deliberate actors who might be called expansion entrepreneurs.”

Concept expansion, Haslam wrote, “can be used as a tactic to amplify the perceived seriousness of a movement’s chosen social problem.” In addition, “such expansion can be effective means of enhancing the perceived seriousness of a social problem or threat by increasing the perceived prevalence of both ‘victims’ and ‘perpetrators.’”

Haslam cited studies showing that strong “correlates of holding expansive concepts of harm were compassion-related trait values, left-liberal political attitudes and forms of morality associated with both.” Holding expansive concepts of harm was also “associated with affective and cognitive empathy orientation and most strongly of all with endorsement of harm- and fairness-based morality.” Many of these characteristics are associated with the political left.

“The expansion of harm-related concepts has implications for acceptable self-expression and free speech,” Haslam wrote. “Creeping concepts enlarge the range of expressions judged to be unacceptably harmful, thereby increasing calls for speech restrictions. Expansion of the harm-related concepts of hate and hate speech exemplifies this possibility.”

While much of the commentary on the progressive left has been critical, Haslam takes a more ambivalent position: “Sometimes concept creep is presented in an exclusively negative frame,” he wrote, but that fails to address the “positive implications. To that end, we offer three positive consequences of the phenomenon.”

The first is that expansionary definitions of harm “can be useful in drawing attention to harms previously overlooked. Consider the vertical expansion of abuse to include emotional abuse.”

Second, “concept creep can prevent harmful practices by modifying social norms.” For example, “changing definitions of bullying that include social exclusion and antagonistic acts expressed horizontally rather than only downward in organizational hierarchies may also entrench norms against the commission of destructive behavior.”

And finally:

The expansion of psychology’s negative concepts can motivate interventions aimed at preventing or reducing the harms associated with the newly categorized behaviors. For instance, the conceptual expansion of addiction to include behavioral addictions (e.g., gambling and internet addictions) has prompted a flurry of research into treatment options, which has found that a range of psychosocial treatments can be successfully used to treat gambling, internet and sexual addictions.

Judge suggested an approach to this line of inquiry that he believed might offer a way for liberalism to regain its footing:

I would like to think that there is a version of modern progressivism that accepts many of the premises of the problem and causes of inequality but does so in a way that also celebrates the power of individualism, of consensus and of common cause. I know this is perhaps naïve. But if we give in to cynicism (that consensus can’t be found), that’s self-reinforcing, isn’t it? I think about the progress on how society now views sexual orientation and the success stories. The change was too slow, painful for many, but was there any other way?

The Times is committed to publishing a diversity of letters to the editor. We’d like to hear what you think about this or any of our articles. Here are some tips . And here's our email: [email protected] .

Follow the New York Times Opinion section on Facebook , Instagram , TikTok , WhatsApp , X and Threads .

Thomas B. Edsall has been a contributor to the Times Opinion section since 2011. His column on strategic and demographic trends in American politics appears every Wednesday. He previously covered politics for The Washington Post. @ edsall

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Why people are becoming addicted to social media: A qualitative study

Parvin Mangolian Shahrbabaki

Mahin Eslami Shahrbabaki

Nouzar Nakhaee

Aliakbar Haghdoost

BACKGROUND:

MATERIALS AND METHODS:

CONCLUSIONS:

Introduction

Materials and Methods

Data analysis

Problems in socializing

Problems in communicating

Escaping loneliness

Problems in resiliency

Devastation in harsh conditions

Inability to recover oneself (inner distress)

Lack of problem-solving skills

Weaknesses in analysis and decision making

Disorganization in planning

Conclusions

Financial support and sponsorship

Conflicts of interest

Acknowledgements

Crafting a Winning Argumentative Essay on Social Media

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Research To Collect Data and Material

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Social Media Addiction Causes and Solutions

Causes of Social Media Addiction

Socializing Problems

Communication Problems

The Need to Escape Loneliness

Resiliency Problems

Harsh Conditions

Inner Distress

Poor Problem-Solving Skills

Weak Analytical and Decision-Making Skills

Disorganized Plans

Solving Social Media Addiction

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