Societal Questions: Is Society Better off with Social Media Around?
Societal Questions: Is Society Better off with Social Media Around?
Hayden McLellan, Cole Ladik, James Wauters, and Ana Lopes
SOC111.02.F24: Principles of Sociology
Professor Shaji Silva
December 5, 2024
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Societal Questions: Is Society Better off with Social Media Around?
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Abstract
This sociological report explores the impact of social media on college students’ lives,
focusing on its pros and cons across different stages of people’s academic careers. Using a
survey of 125 students from freshmen to graduate students at Alvernia University, the study
examines how students perceive the role of social media in their personal and academic lives.
The findings reveal a clear trend that overall, freshmen view social media positively, mentioning
its ability to create connections during a transitional time such as college. However, as students
progress academically, perceptions shift. Sophomores report a balance of positive and negative
effects, while juniors display more neutrality, reflecting their growing academic focus and
reduced use of social media platforms. Seniors and graduate students exhibit the most critical
views, highlighting social media's role in creating stress, comparison culture, and time
management challenges during pivotal life transitions. While social media aids in networking,
communication, and access to information, its potential to distract, foster anxiety, and spread
misinformation has become increasingly apparent.
Key Words: social media, academic, positive, negative, & culture
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Area of Study
Due to the large impact that social media has on our society, our group decided to
investigate it for our final thesis. Social media affects how people connect, communicate, and
even see the world. With the current state of social media, it continues to shape social dynamics,
public discourses, and individual identities. Due to social media constantly permeating people of
all ages and backgrounds, we thought it was crucial to consider both the positive and negative
effects of social media’s influence.
It is impossible to minimize social media's importance in today's world. Social media
platforms like Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and TikTok have emerged as important apps for
social interaction, entertainment, and news. Social media has given people access to an
enormous amount of information, and it allows them to instantly connect with others around the
world. The simple form of communication has changed how we build relationships, take part in
action, and participate in public discourse. Social media culture has shifted in ways that
traditional media could never have predicted with the new implementation of internet
movements, viral trends, and digital influencers. However, there are some disadvantages to the
power of social media. Some of these issues have led to much debate, including things like
disinformation, cyberbullying, and the negative impacts on mental health. By choosing this
topic, we sought to discuss both the pros and cons of social media and how it shapes
contemporary politics, culture, and identity.
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Our focus on social media was ultimately driven by the fact that it has impacted all our
lives in one way or another, and its current influence upon society is so intricate that a deeper
understanding of how this technology works is needed as it will continue to shape our world’s
evolution, influence, and potential future.
Background Study
Many theories have been proposed to explain social media's effect on the human mind.
Although the literature covers various theories, this review will focus on five major themes that
emerge repeatedly throughout the literature reviewed. These themes are the exploration and
expression of one’s identity, the self-evaluation of oneself versus others, the spaces for
connection and community building, the link between social media and mental health issues, and
the sheer volume of information on social media. Although literature represents these themes in
various contexts, this paper will primarily focus on the various applications of social media.
Social media is the true double-edged sword in our lives. Dr. David Coppini preaches its
sheer necessity to maintain social connective and networking. Still, he projects an alert situation
regarding the adverse effects, anxiety, and depression associated with it, especially in the young
population. He spoke emphatically that on National Day of Unplugging, March 1st, he
underlined the advantages of taking breaks for good interactions that would bring down mental
fatigue. “We also know that social media use, especially among young people and teenagers, can
lead to high rates of depression and lower self-esteem.” (Atkinson, 2024) He then suggests very
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practical further steps, such as turning off notifications and phone-free activities, that help retake
control of time and improve one's mental health for a healthier and more balanced lifestyle.
Social media is integral to the lives of many U.S. teenagers, with 95% owning smartphones
and 97% using the internet daily. This raises questions about its impact on mental, behavioral,
and social health. While 31% of teens view social media positively, it has both benefits and
drawbacks. Positively, social media fosters connection and self-expression and reduces feelings
of loneliness. However, passive use can lead to social media envy, negatively impacting selfesteem and mental health. Studies show a correlation between extensive social media use and
increased suicide risk among teens, particularly girls, who may struggle with unrealistic
standards. “The researchers discovered that 48% of teenagers who spend at least five hours per
day on electronic devices have at least one risk factor of suicide. Only 33% of teens who spend
two hours per day online had at least one risk factor.” (Pros and Cons of Social Media for Teens,
2024). Additionally, social media addiction can lead to isolation, anxiety, and decreased
academic performance. To mitigate these effects, experts recommend limiting online time,
turning off notifications, and replacing screen time with real-life activities. For those struggling
with excessive use, counseling may be beneficial.
Web-based tools that facilitate the production and sharing of user-generated content across
international subjects and user categories are referred to as social media. Social media sites like
Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, and X (previously Twitter) are used for a variety of things, from
political campaigns to family get-togethers. It has a cultural impact through influencing trends,
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promoting community action, and facilitating health support. Social media is also criticized for
platform owners' censorship and content restriction since some nations completely block access,
isolating millions of users. Social media started with email and developed through wikis, blogs,
and social networks before reaching platforms like Facebook, YouTube, and TikTok. Social
media has advantages like better mental health, professional networking, and educational
opportunities, but it also has drawbacks, including addiction, doxing, cyberbullying, and child
exploitation. “Social media has become a vast, informal network of online venues-public and
private, paid subscriptions and free, large and small.” (Asher, 2024) In general, social media
shapes contemporary communication and culture by reflecting people's demand to connect,
showcasing both its positive and negative aspects.
There is a significant gap in social media research, highlighting the need to consider
cultural differences in emotional expression and influence among users. Lead author Tiffany Hsu
emphasizes that understanding culture is crucial for comprehending how social media connects
people globally. While American users tend to express positive emotions, studies reveal that they
are more affected by posts conveying anger and negativity. In contrast, the article explores
Japanese social media users, who typically value calmness and low arousal emotions. To
investigate these cultural dynamics, researchers at Stanford developed a sentiment analysis
algorithm tailored to both American and Japanese content, analyzing over 3,000 Japanese tweets.
The findings indicated that while U.S. users generated more positive content, Japanese users
produced posts consistent with their cultural values of low arousal. Intriguingly, users from both
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cultures exhibited “affective hijacking,” where exposure to posts that contradicted their
emotional norms influenced their expressions. “The source of the effectively disruptive content
is not yet clear, but the fact that it is often accompanied by propaganda or misinformation
suggests that it could come from nefarious actors or even algorithms, according to the
researchers.” (Ramachandran, 2021) For Americans, this meant increased engagement with
negative emotions, while Japanese users were swayed by positive, high-arousal content.
There are many negative effects of social media, highlighting issues such as digital
addiction, cyberbullying, and mental health problems. Digital addiction is compared to substance
dependence, with social media's constant feedback triggering brain reward systems similar to
drugs. The U.S. Surgeon General has called for warnings and legislation to protect youth from
online harms. Cyberbullying affects not only teens but also children and adults, with many
experiencing severe emotional repercussions, including an increased risk of self-harm.
Additionally, social media fosters misinformation through echo chambers, which thrive on
human biases and algorithmic manipulation. Privacy risks are also significant, with users often
unaware of how their data is exploited. “Social media is a hotbed of privacy risks including but
not limited to phishing, data mining, malware sharing, and botnet attacks.” (Social Networking,
2024) Despite these challenges, the article acknowledges social media's potential to foster
community, enhance civic engagement, and promote inclusivity, suggesting that it can connect
people across diverse backgrounds and facilitate support for marginalized groups.
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The perception of media influence among Americans has undergone a significant
transformation over the past year, reflecting broader societal changes influenced by pivotal
events such as the election, the COVID-19 pandemic, and racial justice protests. According to a
recent Pew Research Center survey, 41% of Americans now believe that news organizations are
gaining influence, a notable shift from early 2020 when nearly half (48%) felt the media's
influence was waning. (Gottfried, Forman-Katz, 2021) This reversal highlights a growing
recognition of the media's role in shaping public discourse during critical times. The shift in
perspective is apparent across political lines. Both Democrats and Republicans now show an
increased likelihood to perceive the media as influential, contrasting sharply with the sentiments
of the previous year. For Republicans, the perception of declining influence has nearly equalized,
with 40% viewing media as growing in influence compared to 41% believing it is declining.
Significant legal and health advice was issued in 2023 in response to growing worries
about the effects of social media on young people. “As youth mental health continues to suffer,
parents, teachers, and legislators are sounding the alarm on social media.” (Weir, 2023) While
the American Psychological Association and the U.S. Surgeon General released advice to protect
children online, President Biden vowed to ban TikTok. Social media is becoming a major part of
teens' lives, with an estimated 4.9 billion users worldwide, but it also presents significant risks
during crucial developmental phases. More than 40% of high school pupils report having
depressive symptoms, indicating a rise in mental health problems. Due to their immature selfcontrol and need for peer approval, adolescents are especially vulnerable to the negative effects
Societal Questions: Is Society Better off with Social Media Around?
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of social media, which can result in exposure to dangerous content and detrimental mental health
outcomes like body image problems and cyberbullying.
The emergence of social networking sites (SNS) like Facebook and Twitter over the last
ten years has changed how people communicate. These networks, which have over a billion
members, especially in developing nations, improve connectedness and idea exchange by
facilitating both personal and professional encounters. SNS use, however, has been connected by
experts to mental health conditions like anxiety, depression, and low self-esteem. Though
causality is still up for question, studies indicate that spending more time on these platforms may
be associated with depression symptoms. For example, interactions could be surface-level and
fall short of real in-person communication. Users may also believe that others are happier, which
exacerbates feelings of inferiority. “Depression symptoms were quantified using the Beck
Depression Inventory (BDI-II)” (Pantic 2014). On the other hand, no such correlation was
detected between BDI score and time spent watching television. Excessive usage of social
networking sites can result in loneliness, despite some evidence suggesting that they may be
beneficial for social support. Although the idea of SNS addiction is developing, it is still
unknown if it is a separate mental illness. To fully understand these intricate connections
between SNS use and mental health, more study is essential, particularly longitudinal studies.
Experts like Dr. Jacqueline Sperling contend that Instagram's move to conceal likes is only a
short-term solution to the problem of social comparisons and the mental health problems they
cause. Removing likes might be beneficial, but comments and posts still provide users the chance
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to be compared. Due to the dopamine release caused by social media's addictive qualities, many
users—especially teenagers—return despite the detrimental impacts on their mental health.
Anxiety and melancholy are made worse by problems like FOMO and exaggerated depictions of
life. Sperling proposes that social media companies should prioritize private messaging over
revealing information publicly. To reduce anxiety, people can also take charge by keeping an eye
on how they use social media and establishing boundaries. According to a 2018 British study, “A
2018 British study tied social media use to decreased, disrupted, and delayed sleep, which is
associated with depression, memory loss, and poor academic performance. Social media use can
affect users’ physical health even more directly” (Mclean 2024). By setting rules for their
children's social media interactions and modeling responsible media use, parents play a critical
role. In general, mental health in the digital age requires a balanced approach.
Experts are looking into the influence of social media as a result of the rise in teen mental
health difficulties. Concerns regarding social media's detrimental impact on young people's
mental health were brought to light by U.S. Surgeon General Vivek Murthy in 2023, which
prompted calls for platforms to post warning labels. Social media use among teenagers can
promote positive connections and self-expression, but excessive use can also result in anxiety,
despair, and disturbed sleep. In a survey from 2022, “…a majority of respondents felt that social
media helps teenagers feel more accepted (58%) like they have people who can support them
through tough times (67%), that they have a place to show their creative side (71%), and that
they are more connected to what’s going on in their friends’ lives (80%)” (Katella 2024). It's
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crucial to model good behaviors by using social media to promote conversations about social
media experiences. Parents can assist their teenagers in constructively using social media while
addressing any potential risks by cultivating trust and practicing mindfulness in their
interactions.
In conclusion, social media serves as a complex arena for the exploration and expression of
identity, offering individuals both a platform for self-evaluation against the backdrop of others
and a vital space for connection and community building. While it fosters opportunities for
authentic connections, it also raises concerns about mental health, as the constant influx of
curated lives can lead to comparison and anxiety. The overwhelming volume of information
available can both enrich and complicate our understanding of ourselves and others, prompting
reflection and introspection. Ultimately, navigating this digital landscape requires a balance
between engagement and mindfulness as individuals seek to harness the benefits of social media
while mitigating its potential drawbacks to their well-being.
Statement of Problem/Purpose
During the brainstorming process, our group came up with the question, "Has social
media made your life better or worse?" because it directly relates to us and the people of our
generation, which includes many people on Alvernia’s campus and society. As a group of social
media users, we are very aware of social media's impact on our daily lives, both positively and
negatively. The question allows us to critically explore these platforms' effects on personal wellbeing, relationships, and societal dynamics.
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Overall, social media is a very controversial topic. Even though it has provided users
with the ability to stay in touch with friends, share experiences, and access information from
around the globe. It has also become a tool for activism and social change, which can help
marginalized voices be heard and kickstart social movements. However, the darker side of social
media cannot be ignored. Controversies surrounding its influence on mental health, privacy, and
the spread of misinformation have sparked heated debates on censorship in recent years. The
amount that the younger generation uses social media is increasingly seen as bad regarding
mental health. Apps like Instagram and TikTok have been blamed for causing feelings of
depression and anxiety due to the need to present a perfect image. Additionally, cyberbullying
and online harassment also thrive on these platforms, which can lead to real-life consequences
for some users. Lastly, spreading fake news and conspiracy theories has brought attention to
social media's role in shaping public opinion and political polarization.
Our group wishes to spark a discussion on whether social media has made life better or
worse. We wish to analyze how the benefits and harms that come with social media shape our
daily lives and investigate how we may optimally balance them to maximize the positive
potential of social media while minimizing its negative ramifications.
Research Design
To answer our research question, “Has social media made your life better or worse?” Our
group proposed a research plan that consisted of the collection of quantitative data through a
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survey. The questionnaire was distributed using a Google Form that was promoted through a
flyer campaign to ensure broad participation from a diverse sample of students.
We stopped the responses at 125 so that our data set would be manageable for analysis
and we could develop meaningful insights from the data without feeling overwhelmed. To begin
the data collection process, our group created a Google Form with questions designed to assess
how social media impacts individuals’ lives. The survey was structured with a multiple-choice
and short-answer question, which would provide us with measurable and comparable data. These
questions allowed us to capture both the positive and negative effects of social media in a clear,
quantifiable manner. We have intentionally sought responses from students at different academic
levels: freshmen, sophomores, juniors, seniors, and graduate students. We believe that
experiences and attitudes toward social media would vary considerably based on factors such as
age, academic pressure, and stage of life. For example, younger students may consider social
media as a means of socializing and making new friends, while older students may consider it
more as a career networking or academic engagement platform. Graduate students may consider
the value of social media more in terms of professional development and research collaboration.
By targeting these different groups, we hoped to gain insights into how social media's
impact differs by academic level. Our group used both digital and physical outreach methods to
distribute the survey. We shared the link to the survey on various platforms, such as social
media, to reach our desired number of participants. Digital platforms were especially useful, as it
is in the interest of reaching an audience, especially students, who would constantly be online
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and possibly act on posts popping up on their social media feeds. Physical flyers with a link
directed to the survey were designed and placed across campus, in places like the library, dining
halls, academic buildings, and student lounges. By using both digital and physical means, we
made sure that we could reach students who may not be as active on social media or those who
prefer to communicate offline. By ensuring the questionnaire stays with every student, regardless
of their busy or loose schedule, the web-based Google Form was available anywhere, anytime.
This ensured response variability because participants would respond at moments they
considered appropriate. The survey was left open for two weeks. During this period, gentle
reminders were provided to encourage the participation of respondents. Upon receiving 125
completed responses, we closed the survey and commenced data analysis.
Limiting the responses to 125 participants reflects a strategic decision based on practical
and analytical considerations. A sample size of 125 allowed us to achieve a balance between
obtaining a robust dataset and maintaining manageable data analysis. We believed that 125
responses would be sufficient to identify trends, compare responses between different academic
years, and make reasonable generalizations about social media's impact on our campus. This size
also ensured that we could complete the analysis promptly, with each group member contributing
to data review and interpretation. As soon as the data was collected, our group analyzed it using
basic statistical techniques. We started with descriptive statistics to identify trends in the data,
such as determining the percentage of students who report feeling better, worse, or no impact due
to social media. We also compared responses according to academic year to determine if
freshmen, sophomores, juniors, seniors, and graduate students differed significantly in their
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perceptions of social media. For instance, we hypothesized that younger students would report
more positive feelings about the role of social media in connecting with others, and older
students would report more negative feelings about its impact on mental health and academic
productivity.
By the end of the project, we intended to find out whether social media has made
students’ lives better or worse or whether it has no impact. We sought to provide evidence-based
insights into the broader effects of social media today, particularly among the student population.
Our research approach was designed to capture a variety of student experiences, enabling us to
contribute a diverse perspective on the role of social media in modern life. Hopefully, our results
will highlight both the positive and negative influences of social media on daily life and how
these may vary at different stages in the student’s career.
Data Collection/Data Analysis
As previously stated, our group created a survey to collect responses to our research
question. Below are the results from the survey, as well as examples of feedback left by students
on the Google form.
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Summary of Responses by Group:
Group
Better No Impact Worse
Freshmen
17
2
6
Sophomores
13
4
8
Juniors
12
8
5
Seniors
6
2
17
Graduate Students 5
8
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Observations:

Freshmen were most likely to view social media positively, with 68% saying it made life
better.
Societal Questions: Is Society Better off with Social Media Around?

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Graduate Students were the most critical, with 48% saying social media made life
worse.

Seniors were similarly critical, with 68% saying it made life worse.

A significant number of Juniors and Graduate Students reported that social media had
"No Impact."
Freshmen
Answer: Better
"Social media helps me stay connected with my friends from high school, even though we
go to different colleges now."
Answer: No Impact
"I don’t use social media much; I prefer spending time in person with my friends."
Answer: Worse
"Sometimes, seeing everyone’s posts makes me feel like I’m not doing enough, even
though I know it’s just a highlight reel."
Sophomores
Answer: Better
"It’s been a great way to network with classmates and find study groups for my major."
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Answer: Worse
"I find myself scrolling mindlessly when I should be studying—it’s a real distraction for
me."
Juniors
Answer: Better
"I’ve discovered so many helpful resources, like internships and career advice, through
social media."
Answer: No Impact
"I don’t really think about social media much—it’s just something I check when I’m
bored."
Answer: Worse
"The constant comparison with others has made me more anxious about my future."
Seniors
Answer: Worse
"I feel like social media takes up too much of my time, and I regret not being more
present during my college years."
Answer: Better
"It’s helped me connect with alumni and find job opportunities as I prepare to graduate."
Graduate Students
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Answer: Worse
"I feel like social media is mostly noise, and it’s hard to avoid all the negativity."
Answer: No Impact
"I use social media sparingly, so it hasn’t really affected my life one way or the other."
This data provides valuable insights into how social media affects students at different
stages of their academic careers. The survey asked participants to choose one of three possible
responses: "Benefitted," "No Impact," or "Made my life worse". Academic year responses were
divided into freshmen, sophomores, juniors, seniors, and graduate students. The data displayed a
clear trend in how social media impacted students through their college experience. Among the
freshmen respondents, the majority—17 out of 25 (68%)—reported that social media had a
positive impact, claiming it "benefitted" their lives. Only two students (8%) felt that social media
had no impact, and six students (24%) said it had made their lives worse. These results suggest
that, for freshmen, social media is beneficial, especially during their transition to college life.
Social media allows freshmen to both maintain relationships with family and friends from home
and to make new relationships in a new environment. Social media platforms help ease the
loneliness and stress of an initial adjustment to college by providing a sense of familiarity and
social engagement. This high percentage of positive responses shows that social media can be a
very important social tool for reassurance and belonging as they undergo a period of transition.
The responses from sophomores show a slight difference from those of freshmen. Out of the 25
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sophomores who participated, 13 (52%) said social media had a positive impact, while 4 (16%)
felt it had no impact, and 8 (32%) claimed it made their lives worse. The decrease in the
percentage of sophomores who felt social media benefited them compared to freshmen (68% to
52%) suggests that, as students settle into their academic routines, their relationship with social
media matures, and they become less reliant on it. The sophomore year is often regarded as a
very difficult year in college. Therefore, students may begin to experience the negative side
effects of social media, such as distraction, comparison, and stress. As sophomores grow more
mature academically and socially, they might become increasingly critical of social media's role
in their life and recognize how it may contribute to anxiety, self-doubt, and feelings of
inadequacy, especially over exposures online. The large number of sophomores (32%) who think
that social media has made their lives worse indicates a growing awareness of the negative
effects of social media.
Continuing with juniors, the findings reveal a further shift toward neutral or negative
views. From the 25 juniors who responded, 12 (48%) said social media had a positive impact, 8
(32%) claimed it had no impact, and 5 (20%) said it made their lives worse. Although the
percentage of positive responses is still high, it still follows a decreasing trend and is lower than
that of freshmen and sophomores. An increase in the neutral responses and a decline in the
positives might suggest that for juniors, social media is no longer as core to their existence.
Students often begin to get heavily engrossed in their career plans, internships, and academic
projects starting their junior year. In that regard, they are likely to see social media as an
interference rather than as an aid to their desire to stay socially engaged. Also, juniors may be
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more aware of how time-consuming and mentally draining social media can be. Their view of
social media would, therefore, appear to change from one that is enjoyable and helpful to one
that is more neutral and possibly damaging.
In the senior group, there was a distinct trend towards negative perceptions of social
media. Out of 25 seniors, only respondents, or 24%, believed that social media had helped them,
while 2, or 8%, reported no impact, and an astonishing 17, or 68%, reported it made their lives
worse. This is the highest percentage of negative responses of any group, suggesting that for
seniors, social media becomes more of a burden than a benefit. As seniors prepare to graduate,
face career pressures, and deal with the transition into post-college life, stress is increased, which
can be worsened by the comparison culture on social media. Furthermore, seniors are often faced
with the problem of distinguishing their academic life from their identity as a person. This
increased exposure to idealized versions of peers' successes—academic, professional, and
social—created anxiety and feelings of inadequacy, contributing to the high percentage of
seniors who felt that social media made their lives worse.
Finally, the graduate students also have a strong negative perception of social media,
although with some variation. Of the 25 graduate students, 5 (20%) said social media had
benefitted them, 8 (32%) felt it had no impact, and 12 (48%) reported that it made their lives
worse. Similar to seniors, graduate students often face intense academic and professional
pressures and social media's role in their lives may be more complicated. While social media can
provide networking opportunities and connections within academic or professional fields, it can
also serve as a distraction or source of stress. Similarly, graduate students may be less engaged
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through the social aspect of sites like Facebook or Instagram but more so through the potential
professional aspects of sites like LinkedIn. They, too, may experience the negative effects of
social media: isolation, comparison, and overwhelming digital connectivity.
That 48% of graduate students feel their lives are worse because of social media suggests
that stress and pressure associated with social media are particularly high in advanced stages of
education. In conclusion, the survey data reveals a clear trend in how students' perceptions of
social media evolve throughout their college careers. Freshmen are most apt to view social
media in a very positive light, as social media connects them with people during a transitional
period. By the time students have worked their way through academic years and approach senior
or graduate years, the perceived negative impacts of social media distraction, comparison, and
stress become more realized, and social media is seen more often as a burden than as a benefit.
These findings indicate that social media plays a positive role in the lives of students; however,
its impact might be increasingly negative with growing academic pressure and approaching
significant life transitions.
Conclusion
The findings of our study revealed useful insights into how college students of different
grades are impacted by social media. The data clearly shows that while social media can serve as
a positive tool for connection, especially in the early years of college, its impact tends to shift as
students progress through their education. Among freshmen who are adjusting to college life,
there is a general view that social media is helpful in terms of keeping in touch and reducing
loneliness. However, as students progress through their sophomore, junior, and senior years and
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into graduate studies, the negative effects of social media come to fruition. The pressure to
compare oneself to idealized online versions of peers and the mental toll of continual digital
engagement add to growing feelings that social media itself is a burden. It is this evolution in
perceptions that underlines a need for balance in the use of social media, especially as students
face a growing variety of academic and personal pressures. Ultimately, while there are
considerable benefits to be gained from social media, the negative consequences need to be
managed, especially as individuals approach key life transitions and career pressures. Our
findings point to the complex role that social media plays in shaping the student experience and
stress the importance of promoting healthy and mindful engagement with these platforms.
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References
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