Cheska Nicole Pelingon 12 St.
Joan of Arc
1. What are the primary arguments made in the position paper, and how well are they
supported by evidence?
● The main points in the paper argue that social media harms mental health by increasing
anxiety, depression, and loneliness. Studies from groups like the American Psychological
Association and the University of Pennsylvania show that too much social media use is linked to
higher anxiety and depression. They also point out that social media leads to unhealthy
comparisons and less face-to-face interaction.
2. What are the counterarguments presented, and how does the author address them?
● The paper also looks at the other side by mentioning the good things about social media, like
helping people stay connected, keeping long-distance relationships strong, and creating support
groups for different challenges. It also talks about how social media spreads mental health
awareness. But the author argues that even though social media has some benefits, the harm it
causes to mental health is more serious and shouldn’t be overlooked. The paper doesn’t focus too
much on these opposing views but includes them to make the main argument stronger.
3. How does the paper define the “detrimental impact” of social media on mental
health?
● The paper explains the harmful impact of social media on mental health as its negative effects
on people’s emotions, such as higher anxiety, depression, and loneliness. It talks about how
spending too much time on social media, comparing oneself to perfect-looking lives, feeling
pressure to fit in, and getting addicted to it all play a role in these problems. However, the paper
mainly focuses on anxiety and depression and doesn’t go deep into other mental health issues or
different causes of these conditions.
4. What are the ethical implications of social media use on mental health, especially
among vulnerable group like adolescents?
● The paper discusses the ethical concerns of social media use on mental health, especially for
vulnerable groups like teenagers. It mentions issues like privacy and the role of social media
companies in the mental health struggles of young users. While social media has benefits, the
paper suggests that these platforms should also take responsibility for reducing harm and
encouraging healthier use. It indirectly addresses these ethical concerns by urging parents,
teachers, and mental health experts to guide people in using social media in a way that supports
their well-being, while also suggesting that social media companies should be part of the
solution.
5. Is the tone of the paper overly biased, or does it present a balanced view of both the
positive and negative impacts of social media?
● The tone of the position paper is generally balanced, acknowledging both positive
and negative impacts of social media on mental health. It recognizes benefits like
connectivity and community building while primarily focusing on the detrimental
effects, such as increased anxiety, depression, and feelings of isolation. This focus is
justified given the paper's argument that social media has a negative impact on mental
health. Overall, the paper maintains a fair and balanced tone while strongly
advocating for a healthier relationship with social media to mitigate its negative
effects.