Social Media Effects

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Social Media Effects

Introduction

The article Yes, the Internet Does Make You Depressed by Dr. Pam Spurr delves into the intricate details used in explaining some of the negative effects associated with social media. The author uses interchanged personalities from studies over a period of years to analyze the tendencies, behaviors, attitudes, and changes realized on frequent users of the social media scene as well as critical reviews. Four different personalities are discussed, mainly of female origin, on their different patterns of social media use, dedication, and resultant changes observed after a while. The main results echoed in the author’s findings resonate on the negative effects associated with depression from short to long-term concerns. The categories are then delivered on causative patterns, symptoms, effects and possible treatment and prognosis that can be applied to the individuals within society. Dr. Pam Spurr concludes by reaffirming the importance of social media to society as well as its growing need with globalization, while warning of increased concerns on levels with depression among the populace. Social media and internet use is both beneficial and hazardous, but requires holistic approaches into dealing with compounding effects like depression.

Discussion

Dr. Pam Spurr’s position within the argument is that negative effects such as depression are bound to exist within the use of social media and internet (Spur 1). She cites the required information gap-filling processes in majority of the tasks endeavored by almost every person in the world today. Consequently, once the use of internet is aggravated in almost all processes, the introduction of social media is inevitable. The author cites research into a particular addictive behavior as depicted by the four different female representatives as the basis for her argument. Her position is that evidenced studies and personal observation point to the wiring nature of social media into humans, especially through the women. Through her own admission of little surprise at the conclusion of depression tendencies, one has to be critical of the argument enabled on both sides.

            The author does not rely on presumptions of explicit nature. Instead, mass culture is evidenced in the statistical numbers provided in the deliberated research from the University of Leeds, as well as personal discoveries. By using, the research motives from the studies and analysis carried out, the outlook on mass culture appears convincing and authentic. Compounding the evidenced feedback given from the four respondents, the ideology on depression raises concerns on the users of internet for extended periods, as well as the attention deficits witnessed across all the age categories. Of notable opposition is the overlooked nature of the major benefits contained in the communication breakthroughs witnessed among the users. In addition, the gender undertone contained in the author’s giving, point to a general bias especially when dimensions as relationships and professions are concerned (Spur 1). Instead, the focus should be maintained at the exposure effects from the social media.

Causes

The notion of mass culture is responsible for the effects realized in depression by the victims of depression. Mass culture leads to exposure from similar media content through interactions, exchanges, and responses in equal measure. The author is right when pointing out that communication is the genesis of the resultant effects of depression. The common sense of belonging and identification as witnessed in the four victims helps strengthen the author’s point. For example, the second victim who had to constantly shop according to the generated trends, fashions styles and intrigues, was the fastest member to develop the earliest signs. In addition, compelling facts are harbored with the feelings of being vulnerable and gloomy when the mss culture of latest trends is publicized. The author states that a dark side is formed from the basis of such shortages in connection with other like-minded individuals.  

            Conflicting connotations on the causative agents of depression from the social media reduce the author’s analysis. Social media in itself is formed for the basis of interaction and communication among the users. It is expected that the connection formed once a user logs into the system, is meant to characterize the proceeding activities described. The author overlooks the influence of the users towards himself or her before depression is caused. For example, on the analysis of the third user, the author points out on the depressing effect of strained relationships between the mother and child after sessions of interactive use of social media. Dr. Pam Spurr (1) overlooks the general criteria centered on the use of social media as it requires time and effort on the ideologies of interaction between different people at various times.        

Symptoms

Complicated issues arise in the described symptoms of depressed individuals. One of the key symptoms is addiction and changed patterns in attention. From the researched study by the university, a labeled argument is delivered on the addictive patterns and length of attention periods in between major activities in the lives of the four respondents. For example, the first female respondent showed continuous habits of constant logging into the social media from time to time in order to keep up with the recent trends as well as gaining relevance among other users. The effects describe showed that the after-feeling and behavioral changes incurred were attributed to depression. In addition, the dominated moods and thoughts centered on the victim’s effort in trying to counter the feelings of being left out. It was based on a higher level of desirability.

            Intervention on the author’s presumptions is facilitated by the research study’s results on attention deficits. For example, the similar case of students, especially the younger ones, having attention distractions supports the claims on negative aspects of social media. Such instances like notifications, chats, emails, and popup messages increase the levels of decreased concentration to important tasks. However, ass culture depicted by the argument is contradictory, since it overlooks the personal influence on some of the procedures undertaken. Social media provides platform for communication through interaction. It does not have the capacity to compel the users to respond on any instant message, notification, or email as argued. The mass culture is just strengthened by the ideas shared or generation of trends among the like-minded individuals. The response on particular concentration-splitting enhancements is of a personal choice of the respondents according to urgency or preference.      

Treatment and Prognosis

At the conclusion, Dr. Pam Spurr uses a personalized tone to deliver some of the treatment and prognosis associated with depression from social media use. According to Spur (1), the common attributes associated with the continuing trend among growing number of social media users includes lowered self-esteem issues and behaviors. From the study, the author argues that confidence is vital in building the way up to recovery from issues regarding self-esteem and incidences of getting lonely. Alternative measures fronted on the means of looking for life apart from the internet are also listed as potential solutions. The author stresses on the need for courage, especially on the female counterparts, in countering the effects of depression resultant from social media use. In addition, the reward of real life against the virtual one is compared to give significance of the argument against social media.

            The basis on self-evaluation of social media usage and effects of depression are important. However, the connotation is based on notions that individuals have similar capacity to succeed in fighting off the negative aspects. From the study, mass culture is only depicted as negative depending on the ideas generated to a particular individual. Ideally, the research is centered on the limitations and stresses realized on the use of social media. Instead, focus should also be placed on the alternative use of social media to curb such effects. Transformed forums of social-help against issues like self-esteem, concentration, attitudes, and behaviors can be realized from identical social media usage. The ideology can also be used to change the perceptions associated with mass culture and ideologies of interaction and communication for the benefit of all the users.   

Conclusion

Social media has transformed the means of communication and interaction in the world we live in. with globalization and technological advancement, social media has made it possible for breakthroughs in communication. However, the negative aspects associated with its use have raised concerns like depression and loss of concentration. With the relevance of studies and research agendas, social media requires holistic approaches into dealing with compounding effects like depression. The methods also vary from one individual to another while the positive attributes should not be discriminated against.

Work Cited:

Spur, Pam. “Yes, the Internet Does Make You Depressed.” The Daily Mail 12 February 2010. Print.