Compare and Contrast Viewpoints on Impact of Social Media on Mental Health

This essay compares and contrasts two viewpoints on the impact of social media on mental health. It discusses the negative effects of social media on depression, anxiety, and sleep, as well as provides tips for managing social media use. The essay also explores the relationship between social media and mental health problems, such as FOMO and body image issues.

Compare and contrast the
viewpoints
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Table of Contents
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................3
MAIN BODY..................................................................................................................................3
CONCLUSION................................................................................................................................4
REFERENCES................................................................................................................................5
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INTRODUCTION
Social media has become an integral part of our life. There is extensive use of social sites by
adults with technological advancement. It has highly resulted in change in their behaviour. Also,
many of them are complaining of depression. There are certain perspective and viewpoint of
author in doing research. The viewpoint may be same or vary from one another. It can be either
related to one topic or different. The essay will compare and contrast 2 viewpoint of 2 articles.
MAIN BODY
Viewpoint 1 Impact of social media on mental health
Comparison
In context with above viewpoint it is stated that in first article it is clearly said by author
that social media impact on mental health of adolescent in negative way. It is said by Mir and
Novas (2019) that there is high use of social media by adults. Here, in study there is association
found between time spent on social media and symptoms of depression and anxiety. Moreover,
usually, in girls mental illness issue has increased. Also, use of social media disrupts sleep. Thus,
lack of poor sleep led to depression and anxiety. Similarly, in second article Barr, (2019) also
focus on negative impact of social media on mental health. It is stated that continuous use of
social sites has resulted in poor quality of sleep. Besides, there are 6 ways social media can affect
on mental health. They are self esteem, human connection, sleep, etc. In this as well Generation
Z said that social sites makes them feel nervous and depressed. Thus, out of 1000 participants,
41% said to quit use of social media for good. Therefore, both author viewpoint is same on
relation between social media and mental illness. They have said that social sites led to
symptoms such as depression, anxiety, etc.
Contrast
It is analysed that first article also emphasised on ways in which how parents can tackle
this problem. The author said that parents can take relevant steps such as regularly checking
children about their behaviour, also doing conversation with them to find out their feelings, etc.
Besides that, article also provided different tips which can be useful in managing social media
use. Hence, author provided solution as well of the problem which is stated in research. There
was facts given through survey being done. However, in second article impact is described in 6
ways that is self esteem, memory, human connection, etc. the author has given in depth view of
affect of social media on adults. There was nothing mentioned about tips and solutions which can
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be used or applied by adults in managing use of social media. The author only elaborated about
what are ways by which social media can impact negatively on mental health. But there was no
stats or facts given in regard to this. There was only general discussion given. The author argued
that adults mental illness does not depends on lack of sleep but on other factors as well such as
self esteem, human interaction, etc. These all are also impacted due to use of social media by
them.
Viewpoint 2 Is social media related to mental health problems
Comparison
In regard with above viewpoint it is said by Mir and Novas (2019) that in first article the
author said that social media is related to mental health problems. Also, it is found that teens are
worry about Fomo. This results in creating anxiety among them. Due to it, there is change in
their behaviour and it led to developing negative feelings among them. Apart from it, author has
emphasis on sleep in mental health. He said that due to lack of sleep adult feel anxiety and
depression. Likewise, in second article Barr, (2019) stated that sleep and mental illness can be
two main things which can be impacted due to continuous use of social sites by adults. It is
analysed that lack of sleep led to anxiety and depression in adults. In both there is evaluation
done of fomo which means fear of missing out. Hence, adults do develop this feeling. It is
outcome of use of worry. So, it is clearly seen that fomo is outcome of browsing which result in
developing negative feelings. There is effective relations which has been shown by both authors
in context of mental health issues and social media. The other areas are explained by authors
which relate to mental health. The opinion of both scholar are similar in it.
Contrast
In this author stated that anxiety and depression are not problems of mental health but
also adults found that body image is harmed by social media as well. The people start judging
each other which led to feeling same about body. In addition, people do comparison with others.
Another harmful impact of use of social media is cyberbullying. Thus, social media is not only
related to mental health but also many other things as well. In this author has also given stats and
factors regarding this. On other hand, in second article author stated other problems of use of
social media apart from cyberbullying and judgment. Here, author said social media affect on
self esteem, human connection, memory, etc. These all are related to mental health. Along with
it, author view that there can be impact on all these apart from mental health.
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CONCLUSION
From essay it can be summarise that both author viewpoint is same on use of social media
and mental illness. They said that in adults social media is cause of depression, anxiety, etc. The
author said mental illness is affected due to social media. But on contrary there are some other
affect as well of it such as self esteem, memory, cyberbullying, etc.
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REFERENCES
Books and journals
Barr, S., 2019. Six ways social media negatively affects your mental health. Independent UK’s
largest.
Mir, E. and Novas, C., 2019. Social media and adolescents’ and young adults’ mental
health. National Center for Health Research.
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