Persuasive Research Essay

Edwah Naveed
December 18,2017
Final copy

Social media, our world revolves around it and all occurring events are shared on social

media. Every day millions of adults and teenagers interact and use social media for connecting

and communicating with others. Online communication is addicting, and our society cannot get

enough of it. Social media is used in most of our lives for many different purposes, such as work

use or for entertainment purposes. Social media has a categorical effect on society as it sets

unrealistic, negative standards that comes with risks because of its controversies within our

community.

It is known that social media with its large amounts of dangers come with some benefits.

Benefits include worldwide communication with family and friends along with building social

skills. The world without social media would be different. It would be difficult to imagine a time

without knowing what goes around the world, social media is one way of being aware of our

surroundings and interacting with loved ones (Steven, Peter 2010). Social skills are important

and may be built from the use of social media. Social sites may teach one how to communicate

with others in society without being apprehensive.

Social media sets unrealistic beauty standards for it effects not if all but most individual’s

self-esteem, which may result in social conflicts like bullying and suicide. Social influencers

cause impractical beauty standards and portray life as if it is all perfect when in reality it is not.

Social media causes teenagers to look at themselves differently, as it creates the interest to obtain
the so -called “perfect “body or overall reputation as an individual (Gianoulis, Tina 2013). Teens

who do not fit into a specific trend on social media tend to get bullied and start to gain disorders

and symptoms that lead to suicidal thoughts (Ferguson, Christopher 2014). A research done by

Sameer Hinduja and Justin W. Patchin states that “cyberbullying is an issue affecting a great

amount of youth as they embrace online communication and interaction” (Hinduja and Patchin

2013). The analysis of Patchin and Hinduja’s research involved 4, 400 students in grades 6-12.

“The research revealed that out of most students surveyed 30% of teens have experienced some

form of cyberbullying, which may result in emotional distress including the use of cigarettes and

alcohol” (Hinduja and Patchin 2013).

Social network sites have a great impact on our generation as it seriously affects our

mental health. A study from 2015 examined social interactions and how “cyberbullying is

receiving more public attention due to the harm caused to victims that may result to anxiety,

depression, mental illnesses and suicide” (Carter and Feleta 2015). Social media platforms like

Facebook and Instagram may cause users to feel indifferent which leads to an unhealthy mindset

of wanting to change specific parts of their body. The platforms used by students that attend

college is likely to cause negative thoughts and feelings within women. Negative feelings and

low self- esteem may lead to mental illnesses in the long run (Pellissier, Hank).

Social media is taking over the lives of our nation as it is a vast distraction and a downfall

of productivity. “A 2014 analysis conducted by stop procrastinating, an app that presented social

media is a great source of procrastination with undergraduate American students” (Aggie,

Jennifer 2015). The study showed that about 5 % of students admit they waste at least an hour of

productivity a day due to social media (Aggie, Jennifer 2015).This shows that the social
platforms cause students to fall behind in school as students become extremely lazy as

procrastination is a form of laziness. Social media participants have trouble being productive and

getting school assignments done in time due to the fact that most students have access to social

media within a quick touch.

All things considered, social media may have benefits such as worldwide

communication, but the negative impacts overcome the positive ones. It is obvious that social

media platforms are never- ending. While social network sites have positive uses they can lead

users to depression. It also has an effect on society’s mental health which is unacceptable. The

procrastination that social media brought with itself is a downfall of student’s education. As

social media is becoming more advanced the risks are also increasing and taking over its

benefits. Society must learn how to balance life with the existence of social media.
 Works cited

Gianoulis, Tina. "Dieting." St. James Encyclopedia of Popular Culture, Gale, 2013. Canada in Context,
http://link.galegroup.com/apps/doc/INGEIB635167589/CIC?u=ko_k12hs_d24&xid=c128a6e0. Accessed
15 Dec. 2017.

Ferguson, Christopher J., et al. Concurrent and Prospective Analyses of Peer, Television and Social
Media Influences on Body Dissatisfaction, Eating Disorder Symptoms and Life Satisfaction in Adolescent
Girls. vol. 43, Journal of Youth and Adolescence, New York, 2014, eLibrary,
https://explore.proquest.com/document/1473698064?accountid=11679.

Hinduja, Sameer, and Justin W. Patchin. Social Influences on Cyberbullying Behaviors among Middle and
High School Students. vol. 42, Journal of Youth and Adolescence, New York, 2013, eLibrary,
https://explore.proquest.com/document/1326638106?accountid=11679.

Carter, Jemica M., and Feleta L. Wilson. Cyberbullying: A 21st Century Health Care Phenomenon. vol.
41, Pediatric Nursing, Pitman, 2015, eLibrary,
https://explore.proquest.com/document/1687982550?accountid=11679.

Aggie, Jennifer s@theaggiecom. "The Internet Explorer: Social Media and the Fall of Productivity."
University Wire, Nov 06, 2015, pp. n/a, eLibrary,
https://explore.proquest.com/document/1730695137?accountid=11679.

Pellissier, Hank | June 8, 2016, Print article - https://www.greatschools.org/gk/articles/child-brain-

development-and-social-media/

Steven, Peter. "2 Global Media." The No-Nonsense Guide to Global Media, Oxford, 2010, eLibrary,
https://explore.proquest.com/document/845234194?searchid=20171215221824635%3a787983%3a1513
459213045&accountid=11679.