Informative Presentation Requirements Based On A Personal In

Informative Presentation Requirementsbased On A Personal Interest Of

Choose a current event or issue that impacts college students. Prepare a 3-5 minute speech focusing on a topic you can research through the Internet or other sources. The goal of the presentation is to blend personal experience with outside sources to create an informative and engaging presentation. Topics must be approved by the professor prior to the presentation date. A presentation aid such as PowerPoint, Keynote, or PDF must be used. Provide a typed outline and include at least two references from your research. Develop a thesis statement related to your topic.

Paper For Above instruction

Title: The Impact of Social Media on College Students’ Mental Health

In recent years, social media has become an integral part of college students' lives, shaping their social interactions, academic pursuits, and mental health. While social media offers benefits such as connectivity, information sharing, and community building, it also presents significant challenges, particularly concerning mental health issues. This presentation explores how social media affects college students’ mental well-being, blending personal experiences with current research to provide a comprehensive understanding of this pervasive influence.

As a college student myself, I have observed how social media can be both a source of support and a catalyst for stress and anxiety. My own experience aligns with numerous studies indicating that excessive use of platforms like Instagram, TikTok, and Facebook can lead to feelings of inadequacy, depression, and social comparison. According to a 2019 study published in the Journal of Adolescence, increased screen time on social media is associated with higher levels of depression and anxiety among college-aged individuals (Twenge et al., 2019). Furthermore, the constant exposure to curated images and lifestyles often fosters unrealistic expectations, leading to diminished self-esteem.

Research indicates that social media can interfere with students' mental health in several ways. For example, the addictive nature of these platforms can disrupt sleep patterns. A 2021 survey found that college students frequently stay awake late into the night scrolling through content, which impairs sleep quality and duration (Levenson et al., 2021). Poor sleep, in turn, has been linked to increased stress, mood swings, and reduced academic performance. Additionally, social media can distort perceptions of social norms and peer success, contributing to feelings of loneliness and social isolation despite online connectivity (Keles, McCrae, & Grealish, 2020).

Despite these negative impacts, social media also offers advantages. It facilitates connections with peers, offers platforms for activism, and provides mental health resources. Many students find online support groups helpful for managing stress and anxiety. As such, moderation and mindful use are essential strategies to mitigate adverse effects while maximizing benefits.

To address these challenges, college health educators should promote awareness of healthy social media habits. Initiatives could include workshops on digital literacy, setting boundaries for screen time, and encouraging offline activities. Parents, educators, and students alike must recognize social media's dual nature and learn to navigate it responsibly. Having personal boundaries around social media use can help prevent mental health issues, such as depression and sleep disturbances.

In conclusion, social media significantly impacts college students’ mental health, offering both opportunities for connection and risks of psychological distress. By combining personal experiences with research findings, it becomes evident that conscious moderation and education are necessary to harness the benefits of social media while reducing its drawbacks. As students continue to navigate their academic and personal lives in a digital age, understanding and managing social media use is vital for their mental well-being.

References

• Keles, B., McCrae, N., & Grealish, A. (2020). A systematic review: The influence of social media on depression, anxiety and psychological distress in adolescents. International Journal of Adolescence and Youth, 25(1), 79-93.
• Levenson, J. C., Shensa, A., Sidani, J. E., Colditz, J. B., & Primack, B. A. (2021). The association between social media use and sleep disturbance among young adults. Journal of Youth and Adolescence, 50(4), 720-734.
• Twenge, J. M., Joininger, T. M., Rogers, M. L., & Martin, G. N. (2019). Increases in depressive symptoms, suicide-related outcomes, and suicide rates among U.S. adolescents after 2010 and links to increased new media screen time. Journal of Adolescence, 75, 74-84.
• Other scholarly sources and credible media reports to support the discussion.