Me, Me And My 622 BFFS: Article Analysis

Jennifer Ortiz Professor Trokkos English 103 11 April 2024 Essay #1 Rough Draft Although many people believe that social media has purely negative impacts on its users, others believe it is beneficial for online users because social media allows for them to make new friends and seek help when going through difficult times, on the other hand, when using social media it also allows for bad behavior and downfall in mental health. In the article, “The relationship between social media and communication” the author talks about how social media can have both positive and negative effects on its users. People that believe social media is purely positive believe that it is good because it enhances communication by allowing its users to make new friends

Some people that might be interested in this article could be parents and the people that believe in only the positive, negative, or neutral side of social media impact. This article was most likely created due to the rising concern of how social media is affecting people. In the article, “Just Between You, Me, And my 622 BFFS,” the author, Peggy Orenstein, talks about how social media has a negative effect on its users because it encourages self-absorption and creates a lack of empathy. For example, the author states, “..Young people's real-life identities are becoming even more externally driven, sculpted in response to feedback from network “friends.” This piece of evidence highlights how social media is impacting the way young people perceive themselves and present themselves to others. Social Media also shows the lack of empathy the users have for others. For instance, on page 449, the author says, “Felicia did not stint on comments about other girls, even though she herself had been branded a slut in eighth grade by classmates who were jealous of the boy she was dating.” Even after having gone through similar things, social media users will still treat others badly online, which goes to show the lack of

Lawrence Robinson and Melinda Smith say that social media can be beneficial because “Being socially connected to others can ease stress, anxiety, and depression, boost self-worth, provide comfort and joy, prevent loneliness, and even add years to your life.” This quote shows the audience how social media can be beneficial for its users because it allows for them to let go of all the emotions they're feeling for a little bit. They also talk about how social media can be harmful to its users, to show this they say, “But, much like a gambling compulsion or an addiction to nicotine, alcohol, or drugs, social media use can create psychological cravings.” This is an example of how social media can be harmful because users start to become dependent on these social platforms which can lead to mental health problems. In the article, “Social Media Has Both Positive and Negative Impacts on Children and Adolescents,” it talks about how social media is a good thing because it allows the users to stay in contact with their family and to express themselves