Hello everyone, my name is Ethan Booe and I am a senior here at FHSU, majoring in Digital Media & Journalism. I wasn’t sure what exactly to expect from this class, but I’m excited to do some research on a topic that I’m genuinely interested in. I find it much easier to muster up motivation when I’m working on a project that I chose myself, so I definitely appreciate that aspect of this class.
I’ve always believed I was born into the wrong generation, not unlike some of you I’m sure. I’ve never been the “Hey, look at me!” type of person. Social media and content consuming is radically different today than it was 15 or even 10 years ago. Don’t get me wrong, social media platforms have certainly increased our ability to connect with others around the world, and I don’t think people would argue that it’s one of the most influential creations in human history.
But…who, reading this, has stopped to think about the potential mental health problems that may arise due to our ridiculous obsession with being on social media all the time. Some people can develop anxiety and depression because they think they aren’t doing enough with their lives. Some people are too caught up in what other people are doing that they spend their lives trying to be someone they aren’t. Some people are so detached from reality that they think being followed by someone who is ‘verified’ on Twitter is an accomplishment worthy of a space on their resume. I could give about 50 more examples, but for the sake of this blog post I’ll keep it short.
I don’t know, maybe I’m old fashioned. But everyday it seems like I meet more and more people who have their priorities in all the wrong places. This semester I hope to find some answers for myself and hopefully for all of you as well, because I know I’m not the only one who thinks the majority of people on social media DO NOT have their head on straight.
You might not be in the majority as far as your views on social media, but you’re not alone. A lot of people – including people deeply immersed in the world of technology – are giving thought to the possible negative effects of social media on society. This is an important research topic because this is a significant issue.
Hello Ethan,
Fascinating topic. I think that social networks have had a positive impact on connecting people around the world. However, I also believe that there is a big problem with social networks, and the problem relies on how we want to project ourselves to others. We want to project perfection both in our physique, lifestyle, and even our family and love relationships.
I am looking forward to seeing your research outcomes.
Great post Ethan! I am very interested in the possible effects that social media has on mental health. I think it is a very important topic and I am very excited to see where your research takes you!
This is a topic I feel quite strongly about. I personally can attest that social media is extremely harmful to mental health. I wouldn’t believe a single person if they said they weren’t in some way affected by social media and what they consume. I have found that when I use less Facebook, Instagram, and Snapchat that I feel much happier on a day-to-day basis. I’ll be interested to see more on this topic!