Evaluated Works Cited: How Social Media affects Teenagers

A Teenagers view on Social Media:

Watts, Andrew. "A Teenager's View on Social Media." Backchannel. Backchannel, 03 Jan. 2015.
Web. 19 Mar. 2017.

A Teenagers View on Social Media is a blog post written by Andrew Watts, a teenager hoping
to bring his view to the conversation of social media. Watts reads many technology articles and
has realized that many author attempt to describe teenagers behaviors, but he hasnt seen
another teenager bring his voice to the conversation. He goes through a variety of social media
platforms, such as Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter, and discusses his view as a teenager
about them. In regards to Facebook, Watts says the platform is not used seriously by teens
anymore. He notes that Facebook is something we all got in middle school because it was cool
but now is seen as an awkward family dinner party we cant really leave. Facebook does have
useful features, such as messaging and the ability to look someone up. In regards to
Instagram, the platform is the most popular, according to Watts. Part of the reason is that users
dont have to fear that their likes will show up on another's feed. Watts also states that his peers
enjoy higher quality content and a younger user base that hasnt been flooded by the older
generation yet.

This source relates to my others because it talks about different social media outlets and how
they are used. The post talks about some of the pros and cons of various social media outlets.
The source is unique because it is from the perspective of a teen rather than the typical
psychologist or researcher. This perspective was helpful to see as none of my other sources
took into the account of the perspective of teens on the issue of social media.

This source is credible because it is a personal blog. Andrew Watts is a 19-year-old college
student who has experience using social media. Because of his age, he is able to give his
unique perspective as a teen. Although he doesnt have any authority as a researcher or a
published writer, Watts honesty in his post about the various social media platforms provides
enough credibility for me for the purposes of my research.

Exploring Facebook Depression:

Psy.D., Deborah Serani, Peggy Drexler Ph.D., Theresa E DiDonato Ph.D., and Toni Bernhard
J.D. "Exploring Facebook Depression." Psychology Today. N.p., n.d. Web. 19 Mar. 2017.

The author, Romeo Vitelli, hypothesizes that social networking sites such as Facebook can lead
to mental health disorders, such as depression. He points to a study recently conducted by a
psychologist, who found that 25% of college students with Facebook admit to feeling
depressed at times. The author then points to countless studies that have proven this link.
Therefore, he examines the factors leading to depression, such as cyberbullying and how it
forces us to see people who are more attractive or more successful through status and post
updates. Although these seem trivial, these miniscule updates add up and lower our self-esteem
over time. While Facebook may be one factor of depression, the author is over scoring the
importance of it. Facebook does not have as huge of an impact as the author suggests, but in
combination with other circumstances, it could lead to depression. However, the author is
extrapolating when asserting that Facebook is the main reason that people are becoming
depressed. He exaggerates his claim, as even the mild depression is caused by spending time
on Facebook can have serious consequences. This claim can be further disputed by the other
authors, as Vitelli fails to mention any positives or solutions to the problem.

This article relates to my other sources because it focuses on the mental health effects of social
media use. The article helped expand my knowledge because it focused on the phenomenon of
Facebook depression, a recurring topic in my research. A lot of what was brought up in this
article was confirmed by my other sources. For example, the issues with self-esteem of the
users and the development of unhealthy obsessions of their profiles.

This article is credible because it was written by Romeo Vitelli who has a doctorate in
Psychology from York University in Toronto. He is the author of many other publications such as
The Everything Guide to Overcoming PTSD. As a published and qualified talker on the
subject, Vitellis article can be trusted with accurate data and can be read with confidence,
knowing a it was written by someone who is very knowledgeable in the subject.

Facebook and Mortality: Why your Incessant Joy Gives Me the Blues:

Brooks, Jon. "Facebook and Mortality: Why Your Incessant Joy Gives Me The Blues." NPR.
NPR, 07 Sept. 2016. Web. 19 Mar. 2017.

In the article, Facebook and Mortality: Why your Incessant Joy Gives Me the Blues, the author,
Jon Brooks, brings up the question as to whether or not the heavy use of Facebook by the
population is creating psychological benefits or global gloom. The author introduces a personal
experience in which, after recently joining the online social network, he enjoyed his ability to
connect with others who he had long forgotten. Unfortunately, using the platform made him
recognize the passage of time from viewing individuals he once knew as a child posting videos
as a grown adult. This made him face the reality of mortality. For the author, this was his
experience from using Facebook, and he wanted to look into the other ways that Facebook was
affecting the mental health of its users. Looking into studies from the University of Michigan, he
found that there was a strong correlation between Facebook usage and depression. In another
study, it was found that people who took a break from Facebook felt happier and felt less lonely.
The study only lasted over a short period of time, but it was evident that there were interesting
questions to be asked. The author then discussed the difference between the active and
passive user. There are studies that indicate a link between passive use and negative mental
states such as envy. Envy seems to be a large aspect of Facebook users. Users tend to
compare themselves with others more often when using the platform which can lead to a
development of jealousy. With all the negatives, there do seem to be positives as well. College
students are able to take advantage of the connectedness that social media offers to find
emotional support and job opportunities.

This source relates to my other sources because it discusses many of the mental health effects
of social media. A large part of the article was focused on depression and the difference
between the active and passive user and how that contributes to the mental effects that the user
experiences. Like some of my other sources, the article discusses the theme of envy. This
confirms that many of the negative aspects that my articles discuss because they are validated
in many of the articles that I have as sources.

This source is credible because it was posted by npr. NPR is known for posting reputable
articles. The author Jon Brooks is also a well-known KQED reporter and editor and the host of
the blog. However, NPR is a news company, so there may be some bias in the articles that they
publish to attract more readers. I believe that although some of the points may have been
exaggerated in the article, there was enough relevant information for me to include it in my
sources.

How Facebook Makes Us Unhappy:

Konnikova, Maria. "How Facebook Makes Us Unhappy." The New Yorker. The New Yorker, 16
July 2014. Web. 19 Mar. 2017.

In the article, How Facebook Makes Us Unhappy, Maria Konnikova discusses a study from the
University of Michigan, in which a psychologist and his colleagues investigate the emotions of
everyday people and if there was a correlation between Facebook use. Overall, the findings
were clear that the more the subjects used Facebook between checkups, the less happy they
were feeling. The author states a noticeable trend in history, in which the more people seem to
use the internet, the lonelier they feel. This is interesting, however, because lonely people dont
seem to be more likely to use the internet. According to studies, heavy users of Facebook dont
differ in personality from other non-users. As well as increased loneliness, Konnikova discusses
that heavy Facebook users seem to develop other negatives traits as well, such as envy. In the
latter part of the article, Konnikova discusses that although many sources point toward
Facebook causing unhappiness, there is an equal amount of sources that say the opposite. To
understand this, you have to look at the large variety of uses of Facebook and how the users
change.

This source relates to my topic and others sources because it discusses some of the mental
effects of Facebook. It also expands on the topic of Facebook depression which has been a
widely researched topic of mine. The article reinforces a lot of ideas that Facebook usage
correlates with an increase in unhappiness and stress. The article also expands on the idea that
users are susceptible to developing envy.
This source is credible because the author, Maria Konnikova, is a known writer about
psychology and other sciences. She is the author of many articles from reputable sites such as
Times, Scientific American Mind, and The Atlantic and The New Republic. Her experience with
writing these articles gives her credibility as an author. Knowing this article is from an
experienced writer on similar topics, I can confidently use the authors opinions in the article and
research data found for my project.

How Using Social Media Affects Teenagers:

Rachel Ehmke is a senior editor at the Child Mind Institute. "How Using Social Media Affects
Teenagers." Child Mind Institute. N.p., n.d. Web. 20 Mar. 2017.

In the Child Minds Institute article, How Using Social Media Affects Teenagers, the author
Rachel Ehmke analyzes the negative effect of social media and technology as children grow up
and become teenagers. She hypothesizes that they are more likely to have anxiety and lower
self-esteem because they are able to indirectly communicate behind their screens, leading to
increased amount of cyberbullying. She also talks about the effect between the genders, and
how girls are more likely to become insecure while they are developing their identities. Social
media is a platform for individuals to show off, giving a false sense of reality when adolescents
dont feel they are as cool as their peers. Finally, everything is shared on social media--
relationships, trivial updates, pictures, and more. Adolescents constantly feel like they have to
prove themselves online, giving them a false sense of who they really are. Ehmke closes the
article with solutions for parents as the world becomes more digital. She suggests that parents
should try to get their children in the habit of consuming less and building a stronger parent-child
relationship to practice communication skills and build a healthier self-esteem. I like how the
authors presentation of her argument, as she details the consequences that lead to the
increasing dependence on phones and social media and how she closes with solutions. It is
especially important that parents are actually communicating with their children face-to-face, as
online forms of talking can lead to distrust and secrets.

This article relates to my topic because it focuses on how social media is specifically affecting
teenager. The article has helpful information about cyber bullying, difference between genders in
social media use, and the role of parents, which was mentioned is some of my other sources as
well. My sources seem to agree that parents should help their children learn to use social media
responsibly and help them develop good social skills in a world where children can lack that
development if they spend too much time online.

This source is credible because it is published by the Child Mind Institute. This institute is
focused on performing research to help the lives of children struggling with mental health and
learning disorders. Their focus on the childs brain gives them credibility when discussing the
impacts of social media.
Is Constant Facebooking Bad for Teens?

Welsh, Jennifer. "Is Constant 'Facebooking' Bad for Teens?" LiveScience. Live Science, Aug. &
sept. 2011. Web. 20 Mar. 2017.

Live Sciences article looks at the role of Facebook in the generation of teens and college
students. While most of the articles solely highlight the negative consequences of Facebook,
Live Science notes how shier teens can actually benefit by learning how to socialize. Facebook
is also a way for teen to learn how to social network and engage online in a positive way. The
author condemns parents who monitor their childrens social media because it is an unnatural
breach of trust. If parents were to positively build a relationship with their child, they would have
a natural flow of communication. Finally, Facebook can be positive because it allows people to
connect more than ever before. It is an easier way for those to experience building relationships.
The author closes with the solution of taking tech breaks after studying so that adolescents are
rewarded with technology. The author has a unique perspective on the role of social media in
the modern world. She notes the positives in reaction to the thousands of critics from scientists
and parents. It was a refreshing article that demonstrated how social media can be a good
thing, and how we have to embrace it as it is becoming even more important in our modern-day
society.

This article relates to my topic because it specifically focuses on children using social media and
the consequences behind it. The article speaks about what a parent's role should be in helping
their children learn to responsibly use social media. This expanded my knowledge of the topic
because it helped me consider the role of parents in the effect of social media on their kids. It
also helped to highlight many of the positives of social media.

This article is credible because it is published by LiveScience, a website which is known for
delivering well edited news and articles about anything science related. The author, Jennifer
Welsh, is a well-established LiveScience Writer who has experience writing science related
articles.

The Anxiety of Facebook:

Maldonado, Marissa. "The Anxiety of Facebook." Psych Central. N.p., 17 July 2016. Web. 19
Mar. 2017.

In the article, The Anxiety of Facebook, discusses the investigation of the positive or negative
effects of Facebook usage due to the fact that social media has changed the way that we
interact. A large area of focus is the impact of social media on the mental health of its users.
Studies have shown that increased Facebook use can lead to increased stress levels which can
then lead to anxiety. It is also possible for one to develop a mental health disorder if they are not
careful. From one study, it was found that those with low self-esteem cared a lot more what
others had posted about them on social media and were more likely to remove posts to ensure
that their profile was the way they wanted it to look. Also, with constant updates, users are
motivated to constantly check up on their profile and view new posts. Users felt uneasy when
they were not able to login to their social media accounts. Facebook can also have a negative
impact on face to face relationships. Researchers found that participants who were exposed to
anothers Facebook profile prior to meeting them face to face had increased levels of anxiety.
This could be due to the frequent comparisons of one's self when viewing another's profile.
Overall, there are many negatives that should be taken into account and people who are
vulnerable to mental health problems should be especially careful when using social media
platforms such as Facebook.

This article relates to my other sources because it talks about many of the mental health effects
of heavy social media use. The article decided to focus on the development of anxiety by
Facebook users. This was useful, because it went into detail about one of the many mental
health effects of social media use by teens. While a lot of my other articles focused on
depression, this article provided a lot of useful information about how anxiety can arise.

This article is credible because the author, Marissa Maldonado, has qualifications having spent
years working at dual diagnosis treatment centers and is currently the director of outreach at
Sovereign Health Group. Working with patients gives the author a lot of credibility because she
has first-hand experience with how the mind works and how it can be affected by various things
such as social media.

Understanding the Immobility of Engaging At-Risk Youth: Through Art and Mobile Media:

Castro, Juan C., Martin Lalonde, and David Pariser. "Understanding the (Im)Mobilities of
Engaging at-Risk Youth: Through Art and Mobile Media." Studies in Art Education, vol. 57, no. 3,
2016, pp. 238-251, ProQuest Central, https://librarylink.uncc.edu/login?
url=http://search.proquest.com.librarylink.uncc.edu/docview/1821083384?accountid=14605,
doi:http://dx.doi.org.librarylink.uncc.edu/10.1080/00393541.2016.1176783.

The study, Understanding the immobility of engaging at-risk youth: Through Art and Mobile
Media, was published in the Studies in Art Education. The main purpose was to describe how
their use of mobile media visual art curriculum offered teens who were at risk of dropping out of
school a positive learning experience to encourage them to continue their educations. Students
in school face many challenges, one being the restricted mobility of learning. Mobile media
would allow students to learn inside or outside of the classroom to improve their sense of
agency. The main use of young people using mobile phones is to text with others and share
pictures. The program was made to operate in this area to engage the at-risk youth. The
program required participants to create a private Instagram account to use throughout the
process. This way students could remain connected and post pictures for their assignments.
Through after school meetings and viewing each other's images, the students were able to
discuss the technical and aesthetic concerns of each other's work. Overall, the ability to be
mobile while engaged in their art education, promoted students to learn more and continue their
education.

This study relates to my topic because it talks about some of the positives of social media use.
The study talks about the learning opportunities for students from using social media platforms.
This furthered my understanding of my topic because it talked about a unique way in which
social media could be used to teach students. It was unique because many of my sources
focused on the mental health effects of social media use, while this article focused on the
opportunities for teaching.

The study is credible because it was published in the Studies in Art Education. The study was
also conducted by people affiliated with the department of art education. For example, the co-
author, Martin Lalonde, is an Instructor in the Department of Art Education at Concordia
University in Montreal.