After (New)

 The first video I watched "The true toxicity of social media revealed" discussed how depression (especially teen depression) is deeply correlated with social media usage. In fact, there is a 70% increase in depression in the last 25 years according to the source. Even though social media is claimed to be increasing inclusivity and connectivity, many results indicate the opposite. Social media sites' general algorithm is designed to isolate us from the things we do not like or understand and pushes us to the things we like and are familiar with. Therefore we can never be actually interconnected.

In a Tedx by Jacquelyn Quinones, there was an interesting quote by a psychologist: "If there was a legal drug that creates the same effects as social media, it would be banned." And I believe it is true, social media is a mass psychosis. Just like tobacco addiction, by using social media you are deliberately exposing yourself to potential harm. Because of social media, one can never truly be present at the moment and once one starts to be disconnected from reality, the mental health is inevitably harmed.

Another issue is about "digital natives", the younger generation who was born into the world of the internet. In this case, social media is their reality and this reality is leading them to become narcissists. Why? Because when you post yourself you get more likes but when you post something (like a play you like, or a scenery) you get less and that pushes you to be more self-obsessed day by day without even realizing it. You start to develop separation anxiety from your phone and this is indeed what social media wants: to exploit your vulnerability so that you become more and more addictive as Sean Parker, former president of Facebook admits. 

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