Index IntroductionThe Addictive Nature of Social MediaSocial Media as a Cause of IsolationConclusionWorks CitedIntroductionIt hasn't been long since social media was introduced into our society. We had Six Degrees and MySpace. However, the entire world started to change once social media platforms were introduced that were accessible not only via computers but also via smartphones. Now, thanks to all the easily accessible platforms, we are as socially advanced as we have ever been. Social media has helped small businesses get much more attention through ads appearing on Instagram feeds or Snapchat. Social media has also changed us socially, literally. We use Twitter where we can share our current thoughts and we use Instagram to show our photos and videos to friends. Not only can close friends view everything you post, but the whole world can view it too. While this all sounds great, social media is slowly deteriorating us as a whole because it causes addictive behavior, triggers depression, and most importantly, creates isolation. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an Original Essay The Addictive Nature of Social Media First of all, one of the main effects of social media is the addiction to screen time. Teens are known to stare at their phones for long periods of time while avoiding important social interactions. For example, whenever I go to a family social event, I'm used to not having conversations with my cousins. This is because they are too busy texting their loved ones or get lost in their Facebook and Instagram feeds. I also usually see my eight-year-old cousins ​​busy taking selfies or chatting with their friends on Snapchat instead of interacting with the other cousins ​​in the family. My main concern is that young children are dependent on their screens as a source of entertainment. Later in their lives, they will only depend on their phones and social media for everything. This will also harm them because in more professional settings they will have difficulty connecting with others and will have the need to constantly rely on their phones for comfort to have a balanced mind. One can identify their addiction if they realize that they cannot live without their phones. This means that they are unable to leave a room without their phone out of fear, that they constantly check their phone for no reason, and that their work is negatively affected by excessive use of social media. I can personally identify with some of these symptoms. Sometimes at home I have trouble being in a separate room from my phone. Whether I'm watching television or eating dinner, I feel the need to have my phone in my hand. This is a bad habit that I am trying to break and many others should if they share the same problem. Social Media as a Cause of Isolation A significant cause of depression is daily social media use in children and adolescents. Social media is known for being a space to create identities for ourselves, share ideas and thoughts, and build relationships. There is no doubt that participation in this activity is linked to mental health. Excessive use of social media sites, cyberbullying, gaming, and scrolling through pictures of other people's lives can create unrealistic realities. This excessive use of technology can cause feelings of jealousy, stress and low self-esteem. Kat Ascharya says, “Facebook, of course, can contribute to the growing sense ofisolation: You log on to the site and are confronted with an abundance of people's lives humming along without you, complete with photos of travel, friends and encounters you're experiencing." it's not happening."(What Facebook is doing to your brain is shocking). I can strongly identify with Kat Ascharya because I personally got that feeling of low self-esteem while scrolling through photos of friends' accounts and watching multiple YouTube vlogs of daily life. Depression can also be triggered through social media because the lack of social conversations in real life creates isolation. In Social Media Makes You Lonely, Jeremy Noble says, “It's okay to do a quick check on what others are doing or keep track of what social events you attend. It's less healthy to monitor social media for what we're missing. Be aware of how and how much you use social media. This is very important because constantly having the urge to check your phone for new updates from friends without even thinking about it can be very unhealthy for the mind. Some ways to stop checking social media might be to delete apps, use a schedule where your phone can be used at certain times of the day, or meditate to be in the present moment. In Does Social Media Cause Depression, Caroline Miller states: “The less deeply and empathetically connected you are with human beings, the less you actually get the benefits of social interaction… the more superficial it is, the less likely it is to make you feel connected , which is something we all need. I can relate to this situation because I usually feel extremely lonely even if I'm texting my friends. This is because I am not comfortable having conversations through a screen and would prefer to be face to face in the presence of real social interaction. I also feel like my relationships with my friends have drifted apart. Third, social media can create less real social interactions. Kat Ascharya says: “In Modern Health Long before Facebook was even a glimmer in Zuckerberg's eye, in 1998, a landmark study by researchers at Carnegie Mellon showed that growing Internet use coincided with an increase in loneliness. Meanwhile, in the 1990s, academics noted an apparent “Internet paradox,” according to The Atlantic: a contradiction between the growing opportunity to connect with others and an equally growing lack of social contact.” The happiness in my relationship with my boyfriend has been thrown off balance because of our phones. During dinner time we tend to be on our phones rather than creating a stronger bond through socializing. Our eyes are glued to the screen and the food remains untouched. I see this in many relationships too and it is creating destructive relationships where both individuals become very unhappy and isolated. Conclusion In conclusion, social media can harm our society in many other ways than the reasons mentioned. However, the most important effects caused by social media are psychological effects such as depression created by jealousy and isolation. Whether it's posting photos or sending a message to our dear friend. Our personal information will always be viewed by those without our knowledge. Third, social media is very addictive. From new information provided by Facebook or funny videos from World Star Hip Hop, our eyes are constantly searching for something new and entertaining to quench our thirst for new content. solutions are participating in community activities such as volunteering at a local school. Finally, social media can destroy our close relationships with others. This is due/2019-08314-001