Facebook Users at a high risk of Depression - Research Paper Example

of Facebook Users at a high risk of Depression Introduction: This research paper aims to discuss the likelihood of the Facebook users to be at a risk of depression. The subject of Facebook users and their likelihood of being at risk of depression is considerably a newer area of research because different patterns of behavior of individuals associated with Facebook have been observed. In order to clearly assess if the Facebook users are at risk of depression, a synthesis of literature which have been published so far regarding the subject matter have been introduced. Research Questions: The research questions which have been regarded as the focus of research are as follows: What are the possible factors which may affect the Facebook users? How the different effects of Facebook are are likely to result in depression? Literature Review: Factors affecting Facebook Users: Among many studies which have been introduced recently regarding the effects of social media on individuals and its connected with depression, the study by Larry Rosen (2011) Poke Me: How Social Networks Can Both Help and Harm has been widely acclaimed. The author has more than 25 years experience in understanding the effects of internet on people. This shows a higher intensity of credibility in author’s statement that people who use Facebook are at higher risk of having stomach aches, depression and anxiety. According to Larry, it is basically the competition that is being followed by Facebook users. It is in the context of being tagged in most of the pictures. It is a common trend that if a person does not have many friends as his Facebook friends then he is not a fun loving person. In a popular manner, a person with fewer photos tagged on Facebook is more likely to be less attractive (Rosen). Another study which provides us with a similar statement is by Marlon Mundt who has been extremely successful in finding out the possible impact of peer pressure among Facebook users. According to Marlon Mundt, it is basically the peer pressure that may result in depression among Facebook users. The author has claimed that people upload thousands of photos each day in which they project a happier story of their lives. This by far has created pressure among social media users. A person who is more likely to have a normal life would start comparing his lifestyle with his or her friends based upon the Facebook profiles (Mundt). Also, to note is the fact that Facebook is quiet a publicizing platform for individuals. When a person updates status messages or upload check-in of the location where they are, other friends on their Facebook are able to witness such information. These check-in upload and status updates persuade the viewers to create an idea about the updater. The most probable aspect is the judgment that one would create. This brings out two different viewpoints regarding an individual since in the social network world, a person may not be the accurate identity as he or she is in real human world. The person who is judged may in this way lose most of these connections and will undergo delusion of being depicted as a person who he is not in real terms (Lee). Another research which has made it evident that social networking website such as Facebook have surely been involved in putting individuals in depression was by Moreno, Jelechick, Egan, Cox, Young, Gannon, Becker (2011). The study denoted that by using any psychological modeling, it becomes evident that individuals can find out the impact that Facebook have put on people since its advent. The authors have made use of the DSM (psychotically evaluation modeling) to evaluate the effects that the Facebook may have on the mental state of the users. The authors have noted that Facebook surely put a negative impact on the mental health of individuals in the form of anxiety, hostility and depression. The authors were able to prove such a thesis based upon evaluation of Facebook profiles of males and females altogether (Moreno, Jelenchick and Eagn). Transformation of Factors into Depression: As noted above, when a person is considered to be “uncool” on a social media network, he or she is more likely to react to such a label. Consequently, he of she would either step out and become friends with people who may be active in socializing but as individuals, they might be harmful or not understanding. Taking such actions call is more likely to put Facebook users on a risk of depression. Activities including becoming social out of pressure can cause anxiety among individuals. This is one of the basic stances behind mentally disturbed personality. Also, it is being noted that people who have more photos tagged on Facebook are likely to be happy. But this is relatively incorrect. It is due to the fact that the individuals who are labeled as socially active people through their Facebook profiles are also depressed individuals because they like to dwell among people and would want to travel here and there because that keeps them in the spotlight. Such individuals carry on with their image and in this way, they become addictive (Moreno, Jelenchick and Eagn). As per statistics, it has been observed that 78% of the college students in America check their Facebook. This measure makes it evident that through Facebook, users try to find out news and things that would make them busy. This reduces down normal routine activities up to 95% which is very important for an individual’s mind exercise. Peer pressure is another factor that is directly proportional to the incidence of a Facebook user to end up in the depression state (Lee). In addition, depression is more likely to hit a person when the relationship aspects become weaken. There have been many cases where two individuals have undergone a misunderstanding in their relationship because of Facebook. On the surface, such a statement may be quiet irrelevant but the study conducted by Amanda Enayati, it was found out that people become quiet judgmental on the Facebook. It is probably because they create ideal of people as they choose to share data and personal information. In simpler words, it can be said that a person cannot be simply judged by his or her Facebook activity because a person has more attributes which may be different in terms of communication with everyone. As per the survey of Amanda, it was noted that young females are more likely to become affected with depression because they undergo of issues of being judged by their friends based upon Facebook (Kirkpatrick). Conclusion: Though the above analysis, it becomes easier to note that the factors such as peer pressure, comparison among relationships, the cliché of being “cool”, judging friends on the basis of their status updates and photo sharing are more likely to put Facebook users into depression. Recommendation: Researchers have noted that there are many positive aspects of Facebook for which the connection and association on Facebook should not be halted. On the basis of above research and discussion conducted by literature review, following recommendations are being posed for the Facebook Users. Individuals must make use of Facebook by keeping a balance in their daily routines. It is suggested that the information that is being uploaded on Facebook is first judged by the subject. Content that does not show the personality of an individual should not be uploaded as it will allow others to judge him or her wrongly. Works Cited Kirkpatrick, D. The Facebook Effect: The Real Inside Story of Mark Zuckerberg and the Worlds Fastest Growing Company. San Francisco: Virgin Books Limited, 2011. Lee, N. Facebook Nation. New York: Springer, 2013. Moreno, M, et al. "Feeling Bad on Facebook." Depression and Anxiety 28 (2011): 447–455. Mundt, M. College Alcohol Abuse and Alcohol Related Harms. New York: ProQuest, 2007. Rosen, L.D. Poke Me: How social networks can both help and harm our kids. Washington DC.: American Psychological Association National Convention, 2011. Read More