"The loneliness of social media" examines how social media should be used for social interaction

1. The Loneliness of Social Media
Matt Léger

2. Social media should a be tool, rather than the main
platform for connecting with friends.

3. This is made evident when
examining the extreme
effects of social
media on our
lives.

4. Social Media:
1. A cause for loneliness
2. A cure for loneliness
3. Finding the balance

5. 1. The Cause

6. Social media presents users with “opportunit[ies] to connect with
others [whereby there is a] […] lack of social contact.” 2

7. This is because social media
interaction puts convenience in
the forefront at the cost of
genuine interactions. 10

8. As a result, the connections made through these
platforms are shallow because users can disengage
at will. 11

9. Furthermore, social media users admit to using platforms such as
Facebook to “creep on people”.1 This toxic behaviour makes
consumers “feel the inadequacy of [their] social li[ves]” 2

10. Such activities are a hindrance to mental health and can cause
depression, which is considered “a disease of loneliness”.9

11. 2. The Cure

12. Easily inferred from its title,
social media is a catalyst for social interaction.

13. The six degrees of separation principle infers that “everyone on the planet is
separated by six people.” 3 However, according to Facebook, their users are actually
connected through “an average of less than three and a half [friends].” 3

14. The digital world has taken its place
alongside school and friends’ houses
and extracurriculars as a place where
teens go to make and strengthen
friendships.” 7

15. As a matter of fact, “57% of teens
have met a new friend online.” 6

16. By the same token, a “third of couples [are] marrying
someone they met online.” 5

17. 3. Finding the balance

18. Studies have found poor psychological functioning among
teens who are heavy user of social media. This is because no
one is telling them to “toss their phones in the garbage.” 8

19. This is not implying that social media consumption should be
eliminated. Instead, it infers that usage should be “limit[ed]”.8

20. ?So how do we achieve
this balance

21. By defining the purpose of social media use, consumers will
be more equipped to practice self-restraint.4

22. Takeaway

23. Social media is an extremely power tool, and this is how it should
remain. Social media should not be the platform for social
interaction because it can lead to loneliness. That being said,
users who are able to restrict their consumption of social media
by defining their usage goals will realized the benefits that social
media has to offer.

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* = course source