Position Paper

Faith Joy Intas & Justin Marius Decierdo

STEM 12 - HOPE

Country: Philippines
Delegate: Faith Joy Intas & Justin Marius Decierdo
Topic: The Effects of Social Media on Mental Health

Social media has evolved as a dominant force in the age of digital connectedness,
revolutionizing the way people interact and engage with information. While technology has many
benefits, it also offers substantial obstacles to mental health. Social media can be used to spread
misinformation and disinformation, which can have a negative impact on mental health. People
may begin to believe that they must always be connected to and available to their friends and
followers. This position paper investigates the multidimensional impact of social media on mental
health, considering both its positive and negative consequences.
One of the most significant issues is that social media can encourage social comparison.
According to Miller et al. (2023), increasing depression is a loss of self-esteem, especially in
adolescent girls, as they compare themselves negatively with artfully curated images of people
who look more beautiful, thinner, more famous, and richer. When we see other people's carefully
curated posts, it's easy to believe that their lives are perfect and ours are not. Social media can also
lead to unrealistic relationship and body image expectations. This is especially dangerous for
young people who are still developing a sense of self. Feelings of inadequacy, low self-esteem,
and depression can result from this.
Furthermore, the addictive nature of social media is another matter to be concerned about.
Spending too much time on social media, despite the fact that it is intended to bring people closer
together, can instead make you feel lonely and isolated, as well as exacerbate mental health
problems such as anxiety and depression (Robinson, 2023). The constant stream of notifications,
combined with the need to check for updates, can lead to compulsive use. This can take time away
from other important activities like sleep, exercise, and social interaction. Social media can also
be used to perpetrate cyberbullying and harassment. Victims may experience anxiety, depression,
and even suicidal thoughts as a result of this.
We can also state that social media is not inherently addictive. It is like any other activity
and can be overused, but it is critical to distinguish between excessive use and addiction. A recent
study found that young people use social media extensively for a range of purposes, such as
entertainment, identity formation, social enhancement, and preserving personal relationships.
Social media can give people a platform to connect and re-connect with others, overcoming
obstacles like time and distance, and strengthening and expanding their offline networks and
interactions (Bekalu et al., 2019). Social media can also be an effective tool for raising mental
health awareness and providing assistance to those in need. For example, it can be used to connect
with support groups, learn about mental health resources, and challenge negative stereotypes.
There are several social media accounts and groups that share resources and information about
mental health and provide support to people who are feeling overwhelmed or alone.
Overall, the effects of social media on mental health are complex and depend on a number
of factors, including how frequently and how well it is used, the individual's personality and
vulnerability, and the type of content to which they are exposed. However, it is crucial to be aware
of the potential negative effects of social media and to take preventative measures. This could
include limiting your screen time, being mindful of the type of content you consume, and seeking
help if you are struggling. Social media platforms can and should do more to protect their users'
mental health, such as developing features that help people limit their screen time and filter out
harmful content.
REFERENCES:
Bekalu, M. A., McCloud, R. F., & Viswanath, K. (2019). Association of Social Media use with
Social Well-Being, Positive Mental Health, and Self-Rated Health: disentangling routine
use from emotional connection to use. Health Education & Behavior, 46(2_suppl), 69S-
80S. https://doi.org/10.1177/1090198119863768

Miller, C., Bubrick, J., PhD, & PsyD, A. H. (2023, October 30). Does social media use cause
depression? Child Mind Institute. https://childmind.org/article/is-social-media-use-
causing-
depression/?fbclid=IwAR2i4ggAtRc0EhSOjLPn3tMsPS1Mox1GKjzPRxYG1IS-
LrXMB_TJSAPvULI

Robinson, L. (2023, March 29). Social media and mental health. HelpGuide.org.
https://www.helpguide.org/articles/mental-health/social-media-and-mental-
health.htm?fbclid=IwAR0SFsqeKsDKbYXnhnr-1J5qWJSZ6LS0ys1re2MQ3ybu7-
vG18SoB50qFqg
 Rubric for Assessing Position Paper

To a very To a great To some To a little

Not at all
Great Extent extent extent extent
(1 pt)
CRITERIA (5 pts) (4 pts) (3 pts) (2 pts)

CONTENT 35%
Paper clearly states the position
of the writer.
Opening statement captures the
readers’ interest.
Issue is debatable, fresh,
relevant, and somehow original.
The position of the writer is
supported by three relevant and
logical arguments.
Arguments reflect higher level of
thought.
Paper uses evidence from
reputable sources and are
sufficient for supporting the
claim.
Conclusion restates the position
of the writer.
Conclusion presents feasible
courses of action.
Closing statement is powerful.
TOTAL
ORGANIZATION 25%
Paper uses an organizational
pattern and structure.
Cohesive devices are effectively
used.
Flow of ideas is smooth and easy
to read.
TOTAL
STYLE (20%)
Paper uses a variety of sentence
structures.
Paper uses language/words
appropriate to the context.
Paper eliminates wordiness.
TOTAL
GRAMMAR AND MECHANICS (10%)
Grammar is accurate.
Spelling, capitalization, and
punctuations are correctly used.
Sentences are well structured.
TOTAL
DOCUMENTATION AND SOURCES (10%)
Paper uses correct citation and
reference format.
Sources used are reliable and
relevant to the topic.
TOTAL
OVERALL TOTAL
 Peer Evaluation for Members
DESIGNATED DESCRIPTION
POINTS
0 The group member did not help at all.
1-4 The group member’s involvement is less satisfactory. He/she is usually absent in the group meeting.
He/she is also absent-minded and is passive with only a very little contribution in the accomplishment
of the activity or areas.

5-7 The group member’s involvement is very satisfactory.

8 - 10 The group member excellently contributed so much in the accomplishment of the activity.

MEMBERS

Member’s Name

Participated in group
discussions.

Contributed useful ideas.

Has made his contributions for
the task. Found useful &
appropriate materials for the
task.

Quality of completed work &

observes timeliness
Demonstrate a cooperative and
supportive attitude.

TOTAL:

Signature
*Each member should affix his/her signature beside the total score given. No signature, no score to be recorded.
Peer Evaluation for Leader
DESIGNATED DESCRIPTION
POINTS
0 The leader did not help at all.
1-4 The group leader’s involvement is less satisfactory. He/she is usually absent in the group meeting.
He/she is also absent-minded and is passive with only a very little contribution in the accomplishment
of the activity or areas.
5-7 The leader’s involvement is very satisfactory.
8 - 10 The leader excellently contributed so much in the accomplishment of the activity.

LEADER'S NAME:

Member’s Name

Participated in group
discussions.

Contributed useful ideas.

Has made his contributions for the
task. Found useful & appropriate
materials for the task.

Quality of completed work &

observes timeliness
Demonstrate a cooperative and
supportive attitude.

TOTAL:

AVERAGE GRADE
Signature
*The leader should affix his/her signature beside the total score given. No signature, no score to be recorded.