Pros and Cons of Social Media Platforms

There are many pros and cons to online communication as stated in chapter 2, Mediated Communication. To be more specific, online communication often refers to these online platforms that people connect with other people on. People can view, like and make comments on each other's posts, stories, send direct messages etc. One online platform people use to communicate on is Facebook. This platform is one of many social platforms and also is the owner of Instagram. Even though it may have its benefits, there are some factors that influence negative influences within the app. As I was reading through the section, Mediated Communication as Superficial, it makes clear we become unsatisfied with the connections we make online rather than if it was in person. For example, the textbook states, "They regard less than a quarter of their Facebook friendships as genuine, which may explain why a third of them wish they had more close friends." (Adler 23). This shows that the people we make connections with online aren't genuine for the reason that there is less face-to-face interaction if not none at all, which cause the relationship/ friendship to fail in most cases. Another way Facebook has negative influences is the content people post. Much of the content that people post online, especially in this generation, is altered in a way that is different from real life. When you look at the posts of famous or well-known people on social media platforms, they transform their body image/ facial appearance through AI or filters which differs significantly from how they look in person. This has an effect on the viewers and their self-esteem on their own body image looking at false influencers on these social media platforms.  Stated in the Unhealthy Aspects section of chapter 2, "about 32 percent of teen girls in the revealed data said that when they felt bad about their bodies, Instagram made them feel worse." (Adler 36). This is a result of the negative influences that are presented on the viewers feed by the people they follow, which significantly contributes to low self-esteem. Other negative influences regarding Facebook along with other platforms is that "there were also links between social media use and both eating disorders and suicidal thoughts. These revelations confirmed earlier studies linking heavy reliance on mediated communication with depression, loneliness, and social anxiety, especially among teenage girls" (Adler 36). The downside of social media is that people have the opportunity to create fake accounts to hide their identity which influences people to cyberstalk and harass others online. 

Aside from the negative aspects, some social networking sites have some responsibility in promoting mental health. For example, there is an app called "Sit with Us" that makes people feel safe and comfortable to connect with others that have similar interests to them and provide them the opportunity to sit with those people during lunch. These online sites help people to make new friendships since they may find it easier than to make them in person. Stated in the Healthy Aspects, social media allows people to maintain social connections which benefits mental and physical health along with a higher sense of wellbeing. Not only that but also it allows for social support groups which help to prevent/ provide more information on suicide, substance use, and illness (Adler 37).

I forgot my phone is a video from the 2nd chapter that portrays how it is like when everyone around you has a phone when you forget yours. This is seen as the alienating factors of online communication. 

I Forgot My Phone

Works Cited 

Adler, R. B., & Proctor, R. F. II. (2023). Interplay: The process of interpersonal communication (16th ed.). Oxford University Press https://canvas.oregonstate.edu/courses/1999311/files/111038582?wrap=1

Answered Questions: 

• What factors might influence whether Facebook has negative influences, like links with depression, versus positive results, such as boosts in self-esteem? 
• Do social networking sites have any responsibility in promoting mental health in their users? If so, how might they go about doing so?