Social media has become an integral part of our lives, and it has transformed the way we communicate, connect with others, and consume information. However, there has been growing concern about the impact of social media on mental health. While social media platforms offer several benefits, such as providing social support and enhancing self-esteem, they can also contribute to mental health issues such as depression, anxiety, and low self-esteem. This essay argues that social media's negative impact on mental health is a result of the platform's design and the user's behavior.
Social media platforms are designed to be addictive, and the companies behind them use algorithms that encourage users to spend more time on their platform. In his book "Digital Minimalism," Cal Newport argues that social media companies use the principle of "attention engineering" to capture and hold our attention. Social media platforms are designed to be easy to use, and they provide instant gratification, which triggers the release of dopamine in the brain. This results in a cycle of addiction, where users spend more and more time on social media, even when it negatively impacts their mental health.
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In her article "Social Media and Mental Health: A Review," Bethany Pester notes that social media can create unrealistic expectations of others, leading to feelings of inadequacy and inferiority. This is because people tend to post only the highlights of their life on social media, creating a distorted view of reality. Additionally, social media can lead to feelings of envy, as people compare their lives to others, leading to feelings of discontent and low