Most of us probably cannot imagine modern life without social media, which has both the potential to negatively impact our mental and emotional health if used blindly and the ability to connect us in many unexpected ways.
With social media, friendships go beyond geography. We are able to find friends old and new, thus maintaining old friendships and making new ones. Some would question the quality of these friendships, but perhaps what is important is that a link exists between you and that person. Then, we can possibly build friendships upon this link in the future.
But social media does consume（消耗） our energy and lower our self-esteem(自尊心) at times. A 2013 study by Ethan Kross and Philippe Verduyn, published by the Public Library of Science, found that the more a person uses Facebook, the more miserable (痛苦的)he feels about his own life. Essena O'Neill, an Internet celebrity(名人), recently announced to quit (停止)social media, saying it is" not real life". Taking countless photos just to look great in a single post and seeking social approval from"likes"and"views"have left her feeling" empty".
However, those affected are usually teenagers who have shaky(不稳定的) self-identities(自我认同). It is only natural for teenagers to seek popularity and social recognition. But, for every teenager who feels jealous(嫉妒的), envious(羡慕的) or depressed(抑郁的) online, there is another who chooses to feel energetic, inspired and accepted by positive social connections.
From what perspective do we wish to approach social media? Social media does not cause unhappiness; it simply provides an alternative platform for teenagers to experiment with, as they grow up, something they have always done offline. Teen activist and Nobel Peace Prize winner Malala Yousafzai says, " What is interesting is the power and the impact of social media…So we must try to use social media in a good way. "
