Article Summary
The study on the effect of social media on teenagers by Betul Keles, Niall McCrae, and Annmarie Grealish provides a precise investigation of how exactly social media can affect depression and anxiety. The authors used a group of teenagers with various levels of online resource usage as a method to draw further conclusions (Keles, McCrae, & Grealish, 2020). Additionally, they employed a sorting technique to exclude any unrelated studies on teen mentality, focusing on the 13 most suitable papers among thousands of them. Depression turned out to be the most commonly met result, arising from such factors as time, activities, personal dedication, and addiction (Keles, McCrae, & Grealish, 2020). The authors noted several limitations to the study, the most important one being the uncertainty of whether individuals with depression dedicate more time to social media or whether the latter indeed causes it.
Personal Evaluation of the Study’s Results
Personally, I agree with the study’s overall results. I respect the authors’ awareness of the need for further investigation of the individuals, as it is impossible to measure depression without directly examining them. In any case, I appreciate the contribution to this concern in modern psychology, especially after examining such a broad scope for the study to be precise and eventually successful. However, I wish the study were more comprehensible to the broader audience involved in this topic, such as parents or the adolescents themselves. That is, the text provides an abundance of relatable information that, in fact, manages to answer the main question, but it all may seem vague at first glance. Instead of an immense table, some of the most meaningful sentences could be highlighted to draw more attention.
Benefits and Dangers of Social Media for Adolescents
Like any other influential source of information, social media poses certain risks and benefits. At first, the risks include privacy issues and the above-mentioned mental health impact, among others. Sharing personal information online can lead to identity theft and potential harm from malicious actors. Redundant social media usage, in turn, is linked to higher anxiety, depression, and loneliness.
By contrast, some benefits may include educational resources and opportunities for self-expression, among others. Social media can provide access to educational content and resources that enhance learning beyond the school setting. Then, adolescents can showcase their talents and creativity on platforms that allow self-expression, which can increase their confidence.
Reference
Keles, B., McCrae, N., & Grealish, A. (2020). A systematic review: the influence of social media on depression, anxiety and psychological distress in adolescents. International journal of adolescence and youth, 25(1), 79-93.