Introducing a Naysayer – Paper 2

     Yet many proponents of technology may challenge my view and instead argue that having access to an abundance of digital technology actually enhances the emotional well being of younger generations. These adversaries would likely argue that social extensions of digital technology, such as Facebook, Instagram and Twitter, provide young minds with avenues for self expression, connection, and creativity that are necessary for emotional well being. While it is true that social media can provide platforms for positive self expression, connection and creativity, it does not necessarily follow that young minds are actually using these online platforms for these purposes. Thomas King, an entrepreneur, social advocate and young mind himself, observes that his peers view social media not as a beneficial tool for self expression but rather as a tool to enhance their self image and popularity. In his Tedx Talk, King notes that many young people that he knows, “are trying to find purpose in gaining 10,000 Instagram followers”(3). Here, king highlights that young people today are measuring their worth based on trivial, social media statistics such as how many virtual friends they have. By engaging with social media in this manner, as many young people do, these young people will inevitably find themselves feeling inadequate when their selfie doesn’t receive a certain number of likes or when their crush doesn’t follow them back on twitter. As a young person myself, I can attest to this feeling of inadequacy as well as “FOMO” ( the fear of missing out) that I often  experience when interacting with social media.  For example, I often found myself feeling upset when I would watch someone’s snapchat story of a party that I hadn’t been invited to. If I did not have such easy, frequent access to social media, I could have avoided this disappointment altogether. Therefore, more often than not, interaction with social aspects of digital technology does more harm than good to the psychological well being of young adults.