This article is evidence on the noticeable link of social media and mental health, and the rise of mental health issues with the two of them. Jean Twenge states that, “We found a substantial increase in major depression or suicidal thoughts, psychological distress, and more attempted suicides after 2010, versus the mid-2000s, and that increase was by far the largest in adolescents and young adults.” This article discusses the severity of this issue, and the need for research to expand on this topic and the difference that social media has on mental health; in comparison to face-to-face interactions.
The article states that we aren’t sure for certain if the rise in mental health issues is a direct consequence of social media, or if anxiousness and depressive symptoms simply result in more social-media usage. The cultural trends in the last 10 years have a much larger impact on young adults, which also could result in a heightened social media use.
LIS 4022 Spring 2020 