Undoubtably social media has gained popularity over the years, but with the rise in social media use, there has also been a rise in teen depression. San Diego State University psychologist Jean Twenge headed a research study to identify the correlation between the increased use of social media and depression of teens and young adults. The data she has collected shows that symptoms of major depression has a 52 percent increase in teens and 63 percent increase in young adults also showing that girls are more susceptible to major depression. Twenge says she “can only point out correlations and not the causes.” For example, the rate at which young people are using social media has risen to a 85 percent use rate per day since 2009. The link between social media and depression here is well put by Mary Fristad, a child psychologist at Ohio State University, saying that teens are “more worried about peer-status and approval” and social media is the key aspect that magnifies those feelings.
This articles claims are well supported by the evidence shown because instead of strictly using statistics to prove a point, it brings in the viewpoints of many psychologists and behavior therapists to further back up the claims. To offer up a rebuttal, I would contradict my point in saying the articles claims are not well backed up due to the fact that the statistics seem to be creating a correlation that could possibly not even be there. This would fall under triangulation 2.o because this article could be making something out to be harmful to teens and young adults that might not even be the problem.
