Persuasive Speech - Why We Should Use Social Media Less

MTSU Speech Contest

19 Apr 202106:22

Summary

TLDRThe video script addresses the alarming rise in suicide rates among young females aged 10 to 19 from 2009 to 2017, attributing the increase to the negative effects of social media on mental health. It highlights the feelings of loneliness, low self-esteem, and unhappiness exacerbated by social media use, particularly cyberbullying. The script suggests that Gen Z, being the most active on social media, is the loneliest generation in America. It concludes with a call to action to reduce social media usage to combat loneliness, increase happiness, and boost self-esteem, quoting Mother Teresa to emphasize the importance of real-life connections.

Takeaways

📈 Suicide rates among females aged 10 to 19 increased by 110% between 2009 and 2017, correlating with the rise of social media.
🌪 Teenagers are experiencing higher levels of pressure, anxiety, sadness, and dissatisfaction with their appearance than ever before.
🏥 The Addiction Center states that Generation Z is the loneliest generation in America, with high rates of isolation and loneliness.
🚫 The speaker, a social media support specialist, emphasizes the negative impact of social media on mental health, especially among teens.
📱 The CDC and 'The Social Dilemma' documentary highlight the steady growth of suicide rates since 2009, linked to the emergence of mobile social media.
🤔 The Gothenburg Research Institute found that females using Facebook are more likely to be unhappy and have lower self-esteem.
🔍 Gen Z, being the most active on social media, is facing an epidemic of loneliness and isolation, as reported by Cigna, a health insurance company.
😡 Cyberbullying is a significant issue, with 36.5% of people reporting they have been cyberbullied, and it can exacerbate the negative effects of social media.
🤔 Experts are divided on why social media use leads to lower self-esteem and happiness, but comparison and the portrayal of fake versions of ourselves are cited as factors.
📉 High social media use is linked to lower self-esteem and happiness, suggesting a negative impact on mental well-being.
🛑 The speaker suggests that reducing social media use can lead to increased happiness and self-esteem, and decrease exposure to cyberbullying.

Q & A

What was the reported increase in suicide rates among females aged 10 to 19 between 2009 and 2017?
-There was a reported increase of 110% in suicide rates among females aged 10 to 19 during the years of 2009 to 2017.
Why are teens feeling more pressure and anxiety than ever before according to the speaker?
-The speaker suggests that the rise in pressure and anxiety among teens is due to the pervasive influence of social media, which can exacerbate feelings of not fitting in and negatively impact self-esteem.
What does the speaker claim about Generation Z?
-The speaker claims that Generation Z is the loneliest generation in America, as stated by the Addiction Center.
What is the correlation between social media use and suicide rates, as mentioned in the script?
-The script suggests a correlation between the rise of mobile social media since 2009 and a steady increase in suicide rates, particularly among young people.
What was the finding of the Gothenburg Research Institute regarding Facebook usage and female self-esteem?
-The Gothenburg Research Institute found that females who use Facebook are more likely to be less happy and have lower self-esteem than those who do not use Facebook.
How does the speaker describe the impact of social media on Gen Z's sense of loneliness?
-The speaker describes that according to Cigna, a health insurance company, 50 percent of all surveyed individuals say they have feelings of isolation and loneliness on a regular basis, which is indicative of a loneliness epidemic.
What role does cyberbullying play in the negative effects of social media, as per the script?
-Cyberbullying is identified as a key factor that can exacerbate the negative effects of social media, making those who are already experiencing its adverse effects more vulnerable to harm, and in some cases, leading to tragic outcomes like suicide.
What does the speaker suggest as a solution to the problems caused by social media?
-The speaker suggests reducing the amount of time spent on social media as a solution. This could lead to increased happiness and self-esteem and a decrease in the exposure to cyberbullying.
What is the connection between social media use and self-esteem according to Psychology Today?
-According to Psychology Today, high social media use is linked to lower self-esteem. This could be due to the tendency of individuals to compare themselves with others on social media, leading to negative feelings when they perceive others as more successful or happier.
Why might Gen Z feel lonelier than previous generations, as suggested in the script?
-The script suggests that the increased use of social media by Gen Z, along with the presentation of fake or idealized versions of ourselves online, makes it difficult to form real connections with others. Additionally, the lack of face-to-face interaction may hinder the development of meaningful relationships.
What is the final advice given by the speaker to combat loneliness and improve mental health?
-The speaker advises turning off phones, closing computers, and avoiding the urge to check notifications. Engaging in real-life conversations and interactions can help combat loneliness and improve mental health.
What is the significance of the quote by Mother Teresa mentioned in the closing remark?
-The quote by Mother Teresa, 'The greatest poverty is loneliness,' is used to emphasize the importance of human connection and the detrimental effects of isolation. It serves as a call to action to seek genuine social interactions over digital ones.

Outlines

00:00

📉 The Impact of Social Media on Mental Health

The first paragraph of the script addresses the alarming increase in suicide rates among females aged 10 to 19 between 2009 and 2017, highlighting the role of social media in exacerbating feelings of loneliness, anxiety, and low self-esteem. It emphasizes that Gen Z is the loneliest generation in America, with 50% experiencing regular feelings of isolation. The script also points out the correlation between the rise of mobile social media and the increase in suicide rates, with over 6,000 young people committing suicide in 2018 alone. The Gothenburg Research Institute's survey is cited to show that female Facebook users are less happy and have lower self-esteem. The paragraph concludes by identifying cyberbullying as a key factor contributing to the negative effects of social media, with statistics from cyberbullying.com indicating that a significant percentage of people have been victims or witnesses to it.

05:00

📱 Mitigating the Effects of Social Media

The second paragraph focuses on potential solutions to the problems caused by social media. It suggests that by reducing social media usage, individuals can experience increased happiness and self-esteem. The Gothenburg Research Institute's findings are reiterated, indicating that female Facebook users report lower happiness and self-esteem. The script proposes that limiting time on social media can help combat social isolation and cyberbullying. The big picture painted is one of a society suffering from a loneliness epidemic and a lack of meaningful interaction. The solution offered is to disconnect from digital devices and engage in face-to-face conversations. The closing remark by Mother Teresa is used to emphasize the importance of human connection over digital interaction, suggesting that turning off phones and talking to someone can benefit both the individual and society at large.

Mindmap

Keywords

💡suicide rates

Suicide rates refer to the number of deaths by suicide per a certain number of people in a given area or population. In the video's context, it highlights the alarming increase in suicide rates among females aged 10 to 19 from 2009 to 2017. The script suggests that this increase correlates with the rise of social media, indicating a potential link between the two.

💡pressure and anxiety

Pressure and anxiety are psychological states that can result from stress and uncertainty. The video script points out that teens today feel more pressure and anxiety than ever before, which may be contributing to higher rates of sadness and unhappiness, and potentially to the rise in suicide rates.

💡social media

Social media are digital platforms that allow users to create and share content or participate in social networking. The script emphasizes the negative impacts of social media on mental health, suggesting it as a key factor in the increased feelings of loneliness, low self-esteem, and even suicide among teens.

💡self-esteem

Self-esteem refers to the overall subjective evaluation of one's own worth. The video discusses how the use of social media platforms like Facebook can lead to decreased self-esteem among females, contributing to the overall negative mental health effects.

💡cyberbullying

Cyberbullying is the use of electronic communication to bully others, typically by sending messages of an intimidating or threatening nature. The script highlights that cyberbullying is facilitated by social media, which can exacerbate feelings of loneliness and lead to disastrous outcomes such as suicide.

💡loneliness

Loneliness is the feeling of sadness or distress caused by a lack of companionship or isolation. The video script mentions that Gen Z is the loneliest generation in America, with a significant percentage experiencing regular feelings of isolation, which is linked to increased social media use.

💡Gen Z

Gen Z refers to the demographic cohort following the Millennials, typically those born from the mid-1990s to the early 2010s. The script identifies Gen Z as being particularly affected by the negative impacts of social media, being the loneliest and experiencing high rates of suicide.

💡social isolation

Social isolation is the lack of contact with other people and the resulting state of being alone. The video script suggests that heavy social media use is linked to social isolation, which can lead to lower happiness and self-esteem.

💡The Social Dilemma

The Social Dilemma is a Netflix documentary that explores the dangerous human impact of social media. The video script cites this documentary as evidence of the growing suicide rates since the emergence of mobile social media.

💡Cigna

Cigna is a health insurance company that conducted a study on loneliness, as mentioned in the video script. The study found that America is facing a loneliness epidemic, with 50 percent of surveyed individuals reporting regular feelings of isolation and loneliness.

💡face-to-face interaction

Face-to-face interaction refers to direct, physical social contact between individuals. The script suggests that the lack of face-to-face interaction due to increased social media use makes it difficult to form meaningful connections, contributing to feelings of loneliness.

Highlights

Between 2009 and 2017, there was a 110% increase in suicide rates among females ages 10 to 19.

Teens are experiencing more pressure, anxiety, sadness, and unhappiness with their appearance than ever before.

Gen Z is considered the loneliest generation in America, according to the Addiction Center.

The speaker works as a social media support specialist at Tractor Supply Company and feels the effects of social media on mental health.

Suicide rates have grown steadily since 2009 with the emergence of mobile social media, with over 6,000 young people aged 10 to 24 committing suicide in 2018 alone.

Fitting in and feeling good during middle school years can be significantly impacted by social media use.

A 2012 Gothenburg Research Institute survey found that females using Facebook are more likely to be less happy and have lower self-esteem.

Cyberbullying is a key factor contributing to the negative effects of social media, with 36.5% of people reporting they have been cyberbullied.

High social media use is linked to lower self-esteem and happiness.

Gen Z and Millennials use social media more than any other generation, potentially contributing to feelings of loneliness and isolation.

The fake versions of ourselves on social media make it hard to have real connections with others.

Reducing social media use can lead to increased happiness and self-esteem.

Limiting time on social media can also reduce exposure to cyberbullying.

Teens are experiencing a higher level of self-doubt and suicide rates are increasing.

Society is beginning to lack meaningful interaction, creating a loneliness epidemic.

Turning off phones and computers and engaging in face-to-face conversations can combat loneliness and improve mental health.

Mother Teresa once said the greatest poverty is loneliness, emphasizing the importance of human connection.