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Persuasive Essay

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Chelsy Kate Castigon
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12 views

Persuasive Essay

Uploaded by

Chelsy Kate Castigon
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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PERSUASIVE ESSAY

DOES SOCIAL MEDIA MAKES US MORE OR LESS SOCIAL?

In an age where digital connections are just a click away, social media platforms promise to bring people closer together.

Social media is making us less social despite it’s ability to connect people instantly and across distances, it often
promotes shallow interaction, reduces face-to-face contact and reduce opportunities for face-to-face communication.

Social media promotes superficial interactions over meaningful relationships. Many users engage in fleeting exchanges,
such as "likes," comments, or brief messages, which do not require the depth or effort needed for true communication.
For example, a study by the Royal Society for Public Health found that 70% of young people experience "FOMO" (fear of
missing out) when they see others post about social activities, even if those posts are only highlights rather than genuine
reflections of reality. This fear of missing out can lead to anxiety and a constant need for social validation through
superficial engagement, instead of building authentic, supportive relationships. As users become accustomed to these
surface-level interactions, they may become less likely to pursue deeper connections in their offline lives, creating a
cycle where social media engagement replaces genuine, face-to-face communication.

Social media reduces our capacity for real-world social skills by encouraging online communication over in-person
interaction.The convenience and immediacy of platforms like Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook can lead people to
prefer online interactions, which lack the nuances of face-to-face conversations, such as tone of voice, body language,
and facial expressions. For instance, research published in the journal Computers in Human Behavior shows that
increased social media usage correlates with decreased levels of empathy among young adults. The overreliance on
digital communication hinders the development of empathy, active listening, and other interpersonal skills that are
essential for building and maintaining meaningful relationships in the real world. As a result, the more time individuals
spend on social media, the less likely they are to develop or maintain the social skills necessary for engaging deeply with
others.

Social media often contributes to feelings of loneliness and social anxiety, making individuals less likely to engage in
social activities offline. Paradoxically, even though people use these platforms to connect, many report feeling more
isolated and anxious as a result of their usage. For example, a study by the University of Pennsylvania found that
reducing social media use led to significant decreases in feelings of loneliness and depression among participants. These
findings suggest that constantly comparing oneself to others online or feeling excluded from online social circles can
negatively affect mental health and reduce motivation to participate in social activities offline. The emotional toll of
social media can thus create barriers to real-world social engagement, further diminishing a person's overall sociability.

In conclusion, while social media promises to connect us, it often leads to less meaningful social interactions, diminishes
our real-world social skills, and contributes to feelings of isolation and anxiety.

Instead of enhancing our sociability, these platforms frequently weaken our ability to form deep, supportive
connections. As we become more reliant on digital communication, it is crucial to be aware of these downsides and
strive to foster genuine human connections beyond the screens. The challenge lies in finding a balance that allows social
media to be a tool for connection, rather than a barrier to it.

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