RAB proposal
My research question is: How does prolonged screen time impact the mental health and social behavior of teenagers? This topic interests me because I notice how much time I and others around me spend on screens, and I’m curious about the effects it could have on younger minds. I also feel that technology has become such a huge part of our daily lives that it’s important to understand its impact. I already know that too much screen time has been linked to issues like anxiety, poor sleep, and social isolation, but I want to learn more about how deep these effects go. Some points that I plan to explore and find out more about are how screen time affects emotional development, whether it makes teenagers more likely to feel lonely or disconnected, and what role social media plays in all of this.
Source Entry 3: Is Social Media Hurting Your Mental Health? | Bailey Parnell | TEDxRyersonU
Part 1: Citation
Parnell, Bailey. “Is Social Media Hurting Your Mental Health? | Bailey Parnell | TEDxRyersonU.” YouTube, YouTube, 22 June 2017, www.youtube.com/watch?v=Czg_9C7gw0o
Part 2: Summary
In the ted talk “Is Social Media Hurting Your Mental Health?” Bailey Parnell explains how social media can harm mental health by making us constantly compare ourselves to others, often leaving us feeling like we’re not good enough. With “likes” and “shares” acting like a type of social currency, many people end up basing their self-worth on how much attention their posts get. The fear of missing out (FOMO) also creates anxiety, pushing people to stay online to avoid feeling left out. Then there’s online harassment, which especially affects marginalized groups and adds more mental health challenges. Parnell suggests that being aware of these effects is a key first step to handling them. By “auditing” our social media checking if it’s really making us feel good or not and curating a more positive feed, we can improve our mental well-being.
Part 3: Rhetorical Analysis
Bailey Parnell’s TEDx talk examines how social media can harm mental health, explaining how constant comparisons and pressures from platforms affect self-esteem, anxiety, and overall well-being. She speaks from her experience in digital marketing and mental health, giving her arguments credibility and grounding her insights. Parnell’s tone is conversational yet thoughtful, aiming to make complex issues relatable. She appeals to ethos by sharing her background, pathos by telling impactful stories, and logos by explaining concepts like FOMO and the “highlight reel.” Her main goal is to encourage users, especially young people, to adopt mindful social media habits to protect their mental health. TEDx is a trusted platform, and Parnell’s talk is timely, addressing growing concerns over social media’s impact on mental health in today’s digital culture.
Part 4: Quotes
- “We’re constantly seeing the best moments of others and comparing them to the worst of ourselves.”
- “Social media is like a drug. We get a hit of dopamine every time we get a like.”
- “Social media isn’t going anywhere, so we need to be aware of the ways it’s affecting our mental health.”
