Effects of Social Media on Relationships: Beneficial or Detrimental

In today’s society, social media has become a major part of our daily lives. People utilize networking sites including Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and Snapchat to link up with acquaintances. In addition to extended family, meet new people, share experiences, and exchange ideas. The increasing usage of networking sites has led to concerns about their impact on our relationships. As it has changed the way we communicate and interact with others. Networking sites have made it easier to link up with people. Social media usage might be a factor in thoughts of jealousy, anxiety, and insecurity in relationships.

People often compare their lives to the carefully curated and often unrealistic portrayals of others on social media. This leads to feelings of inadequacy or FOMO (fear of missing out). This can lead to conflicts and tension in relationships. As people may feel pressured to present a certain image or keep up with the Joneses. Additionally, social media use may create new opportunities for infidelity or betrayal in relationships. People may use social media to reconnect with old flames, flirt with others, or hide their activities from their partners. This can lead to breaches of trust and damaged relationships. The specific question that this article aims to address is whether the usage of “social media” is good or harmful to relationships.

Presentation of an Argument

One scholarly source that argues that the use of social media is harmful to relationships is the article “Social Networking and Relationships” by Nicole B. Ellison, Rebecca Heino, and Jennifer Gibbs. The main argument presented in this article is as follows:

Premise 1

Social media platforms such as Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn provide users with new ways of communicating and interacting with others. The first premise of the argument presented in the article “Social Networking and Relationships” is that social media platforms provide users with new ways of communicating and interacting with others. This is an uncontroversial claim, as social media platforms have revolutionized the way we connect with others. Social media has made it easier for people to communicate with each other regardless of distance or time zone. It has also made it easier for people to find and connect with others who share their interests, goals, and values.

Premise 2

These new forms of communication and interaction are often superficial and can lead to a lack of meaningful communication and connection. The second premise of the argument is that the new forms of communication and interaction facilitated by social media are often superficial and can lead to a lack of meaningful communication and connection. This is a more contentious claim, as it is possible for social media to facilitate meaningful communication and connection, depending on how it is used.

Premise 3

Social media use can lead to feelings of jealousy, anxiety, and insecurity. The use of social media has been linked to negative emotional outcomes such as jealousy, anxiety, and insecurity. This can be particularly true in the context of romantic relationships. The constant exposure to other people’s highlight reels and the pressure to present oneself in the best possible light can lead to feelings of inadequacy and insecurity. For example, seeing photos of an ex-partner with someone new can trigger feelings of jealousy and anxiety.

Conclusion

Therefore, the use of social media is harmful to relationships. This conclusion is based on the premise that social media interactions can be superficial. It leads to a lack of meaningful communication and connection. Social media use can also lead to feelings of jealousy, anxiety, and insecurity. When social media interactions are superficial, they may not allow for the development of deep connections or the sharing of important emotions and experiences. This lack of meaningful communication can lead to feelings of disconnection and loneliness. It can be particularly damaging in close relationships.

Additionally, social media use can lead to feelings of jealousy, anxiety, and insecurity. This is often due to the constant exposure to others’ highlight reels and the pressure to present oneself in the best possible light. When people compare themselves to others on social media, they may feel inadequate or like they are missing out on something. This can create tension and conflict in relationships, particularly romantic relationships.

Evaluation of the Quality of the Reasoning in Social media on Relationships

The article presents a compelling argument that social media use can harm relationships. The premises clearly state, and the conclusion logically follows from them. The authors provide several examples and empirical evidence to support their argument. For example, they cite studies that show that social media use is associated with higher levels of jealousy and relationship dissatisfaction.

The first premise is well supported by the evidence provided. Social media platforms do provide users with new ways of communicating and interacting with others. However, the second premise is more debatable. While it is true that some social media interactions can be superficial, it is also possible for social media to facilitate meaningful communication and connection. For example, people may use social media to maintain long-distance relationships or to connect with others who share similar interests and values. The third premise is also supported by empirical evidence. Studies have shown that social media use can lead to feelings of jealousy, anxiety, and insecurity, especially when people compare their lives to carefully curated and often unrealistic portrayals of others on social media. However, it is worth noting that these negative effects may not be universal and may depend on individual differences in personality, attachment style, and relationship dynamics. 

Overall, the article presents a well-reasoned argument that social media use can harm relationships. While some of the premises may be debatable, the evidence presented supports the conclusion.

Evaluation of Arguments in Non-Scholarly and Scholarly Sources

Non-scholarly sources, such as blogs, social media posts, and opinion pieces, often lack the rigor and evidence-based reasoning of scholarly sources. They may rely on anecdotal evidence, personal experiences, or emotional appeals to make their arguments. In contrast, scholarly sources are peer-reviewed, evidence-based, and subject to rigorous academic standards. In the context of the topic of social media and relationships, non-scholarly sources may present a biased or one-sided view of the issue. For example, a blog post about how social media has ruined someone’s relationship may not provide a balanced perspective or consider alternative explanations for the relationship problems. On the other hand, scholarly sources, such as research articles or academic books, are more likely to present a nuanced and evidence-based view of the issue.

Conclusion

In conclusion, this paper has presented and evaluated an argument from a scholarly source that social media use is harmful to relationships. While some of the premises may be debatable, the article presents a well-reasoned argument with empirical evidence to support it. In contrast, non-scholarly sources may lack the rigor and evidence-based reasoning of scholarly sources and may present a biased or one-sided view of the issue. This essay has highlighted the importance of critically evaluating sources and considering the quality of the reasoning and evidence presented. In the future, I will be more mindful of the types of sources I use in my research and strive to use evidence-based reasoning to support my arguments.

References

Van der Bank, C. M., & van der Bank, M. (2014). The impact of social media: advantages or disadvantages. African Journal of Hospitality, Tourism and Leisure, 4(2), 1-9.