Discussion 1
Is there an ideal number of “friends” or connections individuals have on Facebook that can improve their mental health?
Social media can be a useful tool for improving ones mental health. The main benefits social media platforms off is a way to maintain connection with real-life friends. Websites like Facebook have even created a secondary application, Facebook messenger, to do so. However, the main use of all social media apps is not communication. It is content consumption, because of this I don't think that the amount of friends one has on the app is the confounding factor in whether or not Facebook negatively affects mental health. In my personal experience, the more important factor is time spent on social media.
Do social networking sites have any responsibility in promoting mental health in their users? If so, how might they go about doing so?
I don't think that responsibility relies with social networking sites. Many companies create products which negatively impact health. The company should be held accountable for damaged incurred but ultimately it is the governments' job to regulate dangerous products. If social media is found to be the cause, or a factor in the worsening mental health of a large number of individuals that product is dangerous. Therefore, regulation need to be put in place to mitigate the hazardous effects and the company held liable. If the company doesn't want this then it is up to them to decrease the negative effects they may have on mental health.
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