Do social media platforms cause depression?
Dear Editor,
In a recent newscast on
News 4 New York, several prominent individuals were seen voicing their disapproval of the negative impact of social media on the minds of young people.
The rising clamour railed against social platforms, such as Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Snapchat, and all of the mushrooming chat rooms that seem to be having a corrosive effect on the mentality of the now generation. But does social media really have the erosive effect on the national fabric that many are contending?
Creators of these social platforms would obviously say no, which is understandable, since a fisherman would never say his fish stinks, as long as sales are proving beneficial. In fact, defenders of social networks would claim that turning to or becoming addicted to these social crutches do not cause depression, hopelessness, and the loneliness that people are claiming but are the comfort zones for those suffering from depression, hopelessness, and loneliness
They argue, therefore, that social networks are not the cause of depression or loneliness but are merely the symptoms. However, a 2019 study out of the United Kingdom confirmed that people who have grown addicted to or are immersed in social platforms on a regular basis are far more likely to struggle with greater feelings of emptiness and depression compared to those who have had limited or no access to modern chat rooms.
The low self-esteem cycle that weighs on the addicts to social platforms is not very hard to understand as they are seeing others posting pictures and videos that brag of a life they can only envy or dream but cannot have themselves. Even if these postings are counterfeit, they could cause feelings of unworthiness in those who try to escape depression by turning to social media. It becomes a curious cycle.
Thus, the mental problem that social media obviously causes is that it does for us what it is robbing us of — the ability to do for ourselves, leaving us dependent, unevolved, depressed, and so craving more social media.
Homer Sylvester
h2sylvester@gmail.com
